In the last article, Phenikaa-X has introduced you to the autonomous mobile robots – AMR in the era of Industry 4.0. They are well known for offering unparalleled flexibility, completing tasks for humans in factory and warehouse industries. But how can AMR do that? How Do Autonomous Mobile Robots Work? This time, we shall dive deep into the technology behind AMRs, their core components and operational mechanisms in order to help you understand the AMR deeply.
1. What is an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)?
Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) is the intelligent robotic system designed to navigate and perform tasks in dynamic environments without relying on fixed infrastructure like tracks or wires. Powered by advanced technologies like sensor systems, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, AMRs can adapt to changing surroundings, making them ideal for modern warehouses and factories.
Basically, they are robots that can move and work on their own, without any human interaction. With those technologies, AMR can support human in many tasks in different field of industries, such as:
- Carry heavy objects: Robot can automatically pick up and bring goods, up-to 1 or 2 tons depending on variants, inside the facility.
- Sorting: AMR can replace humans in sorting mass-products, which is always considered a repetitive work, reducing inefficiency time and increasing product rate.
- Delivery: Transporting products in form of boxes, cargo, pallets or packaging in a facility.
Asia is at the forefront of AMR adoption, driven by the explosive growth of e-commerce. In China, companies like JD.com use AMRs in fully automated warehouses to streamline order fulfillment. In Southeast Asia, firms like Lazada deploy AMR to optimize logistics in urban hubs. According to industry reports, Asia accounts for a significant share of the global robotics market, with China alone leading in robotic density in manufacturing.
2. Core Components of AMR
AMR relies on a sophisticated combination of hardware and software to operate autonomously. All variants of AMR share these same key components driving their functionality:
Sensors
Sensors are the eyes and ears of AMR, enabling them to perceive their environment:
- LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): The technology that helps robot create 2D- 3D maps of surroundings for precise navigation. In China, AMR with LiDAR tech are used to operate in crowded warehouses.
- Cameras and Vision Systems: Employ computer vision to detect objects, recognize patterns, and avoid obstacles. These are critical in dynamic settings like India’s e-commerce warehouses.
- Ultrasonic and Infrared Sensors: Provide proximity detection to ensure safety by avoiding collisions with workers or equipment.
Navigation Systems
AMR use advanced navigation technologies, combined with Sensor systems to move efficiently:
- SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping): AMR builds and updates maps of their environment while tracking their position in real time. SLAM enables robots to operate in unstructured spaces, such as Japan’s automotive assembly lines.
- Path Planning Algorithms: Algorithms like A* and Dijkstra’s optimize routes, while reinforcement learning allows AMR to improve navigation over time by learning from past movements.
Control Systems
- Onboard Computers: High-performance processors, such as NVIDIA Jetson, handle real-time data processing for navigation and task execution. These are essential for low-latency decisions in fast-paced environments.
- Software Stack: Many AMRs run on the Robot Operating System (ROS) or proprietary platforms. Some 3rd party softwares can further enhance AMR working efficiency by syncing those with AMR of different types and manufacturers.
Actuators and Motors
AMR uses differential drive systems or omnidirectional wheels to achieve precise movement. These systems allow robots to maneuver in tight spaces, which is a key factor for many fields of industries, such as manufacturing and warehousing, always packed with machinery, shelves and cargo of products.
Power Systems
Lithium-ion batteries power AMRs, offering long operational hours for 24/7 workflows. Advanced energy management systems optimize battery life, critical for high-demand environments like Southeast Asia’s logistics hubs.
3. How do Autonomous Mobile Robots Work?
How do Autonomous Mobile Robots Work, it’s all relies on the seamless integration of the technological components outlined above. Each component serves a specific function, working together to enable AMR to automate movement, navigate environments and perform assigned tasks without human intervention.
Here are the step-by-step explanations on how AMR functions:
Environment Perception
Upon installing AMR on the factory, the first thing it did after completing installation was to scan and mapping the environment.
AMR relies on sensors to gather data about their surroundings. Even though each AMR have different way to scan the area (standard sensor tech often is LiDAR), here is how each sensor technology work:
- LiDAR emits laser pulses to measure distances to objects, creating high-resolution 2D or 3D maps of the environment.
- Cameras capture visual data, processed by computer vision algorithms to detect objects lying on the path, recognize patterns and classify obstacles. Stereo cameras provide depth perception for 3D analysis.
- Ultrasonic sensors emit sound waves to measure distances, while infrared sensors detect heat or proximity.
Through this combination, the robot can easily understand the layout of its workspace, identify the shortest and most efficient routes for navigation and avoid unexpected obstacles along the way, achieving centimeter-level accuracy. This is very essential for navigating, especially in a facility with a complex layout.
Data Processing and Decision-Making
After finishing the environment scanning process, AMR will start calculating its route and strategically working on its most efficient path. Recent models of AMR are powered with AI and machine learning algorithms, help the robot process sensor data to make real-time decisions and predict outcomes
These technologies implanted better “logic” on the Robot during work. The navigational system allows AMR to understand the environment, but with the support of AI and machine learning, AMR now can make its own decision depending on the situation, such as rerouting around obstacles or optimizing task sequences and adapt such decisions to future works.
Too hard to understand? Here is an example:
- After creating the map, the robot can identify the most efficient route, which is the shortest path to reach the cargo site and from there go to the destination.
- If AMR detects an unusual obstacle on its waypath, AI will help the robot make a decision, trying to dodge the obstacle, or pick an alternative route.
- After a few times the same path was blocked, with the support of Machine Learning, robots will abandon the old route and pick the alternative path as its currently most efficient pathway.
- Calculate the most efficient routes, avoiding obstacles and optimizing travel time.
Task Execution
Those are all about path finding and travelling, but how do Autonomous mobile robot work on different tasks like carrying products, picking and sorting?
The task that AMR can do, depending on the variant of the AMR. There are several types of AMR made to suit with the field they are implemented in, for example the platform AMR is the basic transportation variant, Forklifting AMR comes with a forklift for pallet transportation,…
- Equipped with robotic arms or conveyors, AMRs handle materials with precision.
- Integration with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) ensures seamless coordination with inventory systems, as seen in JD.com’s automated facilities.
In Phenikaa-X, we have different AMR designs for various purposes. For example, the AMR Pallet Mover (APM) is a special type of forklifting AMR that is designed specifically to lift a heavy pallet of cargos. AMR H150 comes with a slim design and is able to connect with cart, supporting warehouse industry.
Communication
Well yes, communication. Even though we already said a lot about AMR that can work on their own when tasks are given, it does not mean that communication and control aren’t important. About this topic, Phenikaa-X will separate them into 2 things: communication between humans to the AMR, and communication between each individual AMR on the fleet.
- Human with AMR: Operators interact with AMRs through dedicated software platforms, such as Phenikaa-X’s Fleet Managerment. These platforms, which can be installed on multiple platforms, allow operators to assign tasks, monitor real-time performance and adjust robot behavior, allowing interaction directly with just some simple commands.
- AMR with other units in the fleet: AMR in the same fleet use networking systems, such as Wi-Fi or 5G connection, to ensure reliable indoor communication. At the moment, 5G is often the on-top option that provides high-speed, low-latency connectivity using ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). AMRs exchange data packets containing position, velocity and task status, preventing task over-lapse on different units.
Advanced AMR even allows them to recognize voice commands and execute them correctly, thanks to the AI. Phenikaa-X’s AMR is an example for this technology, helping AMR take simple commands and queue their work in between.
4. Conclusion
In the above article, Phenikaa-X has provided detailed answers to the topic “How Do Autonomous Mobile Robots Work.” Overall, AMR robots can operate smoothly and deliver positive value to manufacturing units thanks to the integration of various independent technologies. This also indicates that newer and more advanced technologies can further enhance the efficiency of AMRs in the future.
Phenikaa-X is the Vietnamese Headliner on the AMR and robotic solutions field. Contact us today to learn more about integrating AMRs into your business:
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