Evolution: When robots move autonomously like driverless cars

AMR stands for autonomous mobile robots. Although both start with the letter “A”, AGV is “automatic traction” and AMR is “autonomous movement”, which shows that the two have essential differences.

5SHX10H6004 Relying on visual perception and AI algorithms, the core value of AMR is to perceive the surrounding environment in real time and quickly respond appropriately. Like a driverless car, it can adjust its route at any time according to road conditions. In the warehouse environment, AMR is like a super-precise “superman”, autonomously and flexibly collaborating with human partners.

Warehouse AMR products of Locus Robotics

Take picking AMR for example. After receiving the order, the robot will immediately plan the optimal route according to the warehouse location of each product, “walk” to the corresponding position, prompting the staff in the area to put the goods into the material box, and then move to the next picking point until the whole order is selected and delivered to the packing table. Moreover, multiple orders can be picked up per trip.

In this way, staff only need to load or pack goods in 5SHX10H6004 their respective areas, and AMR can open up the efficiency from order acquisition to packaging, and realize the automation of order to person.

Interestingly, the early Kiva Systems team mentioned above separated two of the most recognized warehouse AMR brands in the world today: Locus Robotics and 6 River Systems. The latter was acquired by e-commerce giant Shopify for $450 million in 2019.

In China, there are smart technology, and Syrius Torch Star, which is popular in overseas markets, and other companies focusing on AMR were born. In addition, a large number of traditional logistics AGV players have also transitioned to AMR.

Syrius Torch’s AMR Open Lab in cooperation with Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan

According to the report of authoritative data agency Interact Analysis, the total revenue of the global AMR industry in 2019 was $749 million, an increase of 70%. Even in the shadow of COVID-19 in 2020, the annual growth rate is expected to reach 45%, raising concerns about its development in the post-pandemic era.

Future: multi-product form service segmentation scenario, towards automated closed loop

Although the future can be expected, it cannot be 5SHX10H6004 ignored that AMR as a whole is still in the early landing stage. In the subdivision scenarios of e-commerce warehousing logistics such as selection and warehousing, we have seen some commercially proven solutions, but there is still no mature full-scene product closed-loop.

There is no doubt that for the application and promotion of new technologies, first focusing on the segmentation of the scene to do fine grinding, and then considering the platform expansion, is the most reliable path. Even in the enterprises growing from the AGV era, we see both the innovation of Hazrou, which still focuses on box-type storage robots, and the very Zhijia, which focuses on creating product matrices.

In contrast, there are still large areas of e-commerce warehousing AMR market to be explored, whether enterprises can run through customer pain points and product experience as soon as possible, core technology can be quickly transplanted and achieve product platform, will be the key to determine the next competitive pattern. We sincerely hope that people who believe in the value of science and technology will move forward with reverence and focus, and do not let new production methods become chips in the game of capital.