AMRs: The Future of Warehouse Logistics

07/22/2022

Optimize your working environment and improve workflow with AMR collaboration. Experts agree on the value behind warehouse robotics.

Modern-day robotics have revitalized workflows in high-production facilities by shifting labor-intensive duties from valuable team members to dynamic, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Global material handling leaders find themselves with a need to replace antiquated machinery with AI production systems and cleaner battery-driven motive power.

More than ever, companies need to reorganize their contingency plans and place qualified professionals in valuable, decision-making positions. AMRs pick up repetitive, in-house transportation tasks while you save capital in cost-per-step.

How do Autonomous Mobile Robots work?

AMRs solve intralogistics problems with dynamic and innovative solutions.

AMRs navigate environments without manual interference by using technical sensors, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. They employ high-definition cameras and sensors, allowing them to maneuver smoothly and on the most efficient route. 

In short, AMRs are warehouse robotics that detect human presence and revolving workplace conditions to pick, pack, transport, increase productivity, and decrease damage costs. 

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are distinct from Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) as they do not need a pre-programmed route and are adaptable to constant change. AMRs are the most flexible material handling robots in production as of 2022. They are able to:

• Avoid collisions with moving and stationary objects

• Collaborate with team members to pick and sort materials

• Create their own routes — actively deciding on both the safest and shortest route

• Keep team members safe by replacing them in the field (sanitation, chemical exposure heavy lifting, extreme conditions, and contagious materials)

Differences: AMRs vs AGVs

AMRs are not to be confused with their robotic counterparts, AGVs. Although AMRs host a more expensive upfront cost, they tend to have a lower total cost of ownership. 

AMR features and benefits

Alta Robotics AMRs are easily integrated, versatile material handlers. They completely revolutionize the way your facility performs in terms of workflow and efficiency by:

1. Increasing supply chain speed.

   Transportation is a low-skill task, easily replaced with AMRs. On a single battery charge, AMRs run an 8-hour shift. A fleet of AMRs provides 24-hour continuous operations in a 2-3 shift rotation. 

2. Reducing operating costs by up to 70%, heightening employee bandwidth.

   By automating redundant tasks and outsourcing them to AMRs, your quality team can move resources to other departments. 

   Currently, the average warehouse turnover rate is 36%, with replacement costs of 25-150% of the position’s salary. With implementation of our AMR solutions, customers can reduce labor by 20% and drop hourly costs from $20 to $16, and reallocate their team members to higher-skill tasks. 

3. Alleviating bottlenecks.

   Distribute more products at a quicker rate with Alta Robotics AMRs. You can meet quotas, surpass deadlines, and keep up with demands. 

4. Reducing workplace injuries and product damage costs.

   In 2019, The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,333 fatal occupational injuries took place in the US; 2,122 of them were transportation based. 

   An AMR’s ability to navigate around the people and obstacles in its path practically eliminates collisions, resulting in fewer on-the-job injuries and decreased damages — no forklift crashes included. 

5. Tailoring robotics for your facility so your business runs the way you intend. 

   We have 500+ technicians on staff to troubleshoot and update our AMRs when needed. Stay online 99.9% of the time.

   Before we set up any AMRs in your facility, we analyze precisely what you need: warehouse design, production supply and demand, pain points of current workflows, and more. Since it’s customized directly for you, it performs according to your needs. 

Who are AMRs for?

AMRs are made for executives wanting to save employee resources for higher-skilled tasks, boost their facility’s efficiencies, and adapt to fast-changing technologies. 

Consider how much time you spend moving supplies across your facility. Our AMRs absorb 70% of manual operation time and expenses.

AMRs don’t take days off. They are able to perform their duties nearly 24/7 with minimal recharge time. 

Put your team where you need them most with automation of manual moving operation tasks. 

Key considerations for adopting AMRs in your facility

Alta Robotics understands all situations are different, so we’ve created AMR models for individual needs. Before integrating your first AMR, contact us directly to pinpoint your needs and operation scale. 

Ask yourself:

1. What does your warehouse floor plan look like? Will you require an AMR with a higher payload capability for a gradient-incline/decline? If so, is your facility designed for a large-size AMR?

   Alta Robotics offers AMRs with a max payload range of 1350 kgs up to 4500 kgs. The larger the payload capability, the larger the robot. If your facility is not designed to incorporate bigger mechanics, you can employ a smaller AMR such as Alta Robotics’ AR-AMR CBS 3K.

2. What’s your desired AMR uptime and speed?

   Alta Robotics AMRs have an uptime of 99+% (8+ hours of runtime with opportunistic charging times). We deliver industry-leading speeds of 3 M/S or 6.7 MPH.

3. How does the AMR work with your team?

   First, does the AMR manage traffic well? A good AMR is blockage-avoidant and highly adaptable.  

4. Next, how efficiently does it manage tasks? 

   All of Alta Robotics’ AMRs feature superior fleet management software. It’s extremely customizable to each customer’s needs, analyzing data for adjustments in seasonal and operational changes. 

5. What motive power should you use?

   The majority of AMRs run on lead-acid batteries, transitioning to TTPL batteries, lithium-ion batteries, or hydrogen fuel cell power. 

   Hydrogen fuel is the pinnacle of motive power. It runs like a fully-charged battery, has a refill time of less than five minutes, and is emission-free. 

   Lithium-ion outperforms both TTPL and lead-acid batteries by 20-60%, saving 65% more energy. The recharge time is less than one hour, and the emission-free batteries last up to 3000+ charge cycles. Save an average of $1,350 annually, per forklift

   TTPL batteries have the lowest acquisition cost. Able to last up to 2,200+ charge cycles with a charge time of 8-10 hours, TTPL is the economic choice in motive power. Unlike lithium-ion and hydrogen motive power, you’ll need a dedicated storage space for replacement batteries and charging. 

   Here’s how Alta Motive Power’s AMR batteries stack up:

Final Thoughts

AMRs can revolutionize your business. They automate your tedious, repetitive operations so you can allocate your human resources to higher-skill tasks. It’s a no-touch go, ergonomic solution to future planning, resource saving, and labor spending.

There’s a customizable solution for your business goals and facility design. Contact us to learn more about the perfect fit.