10 Advantages of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Upload time:2020-10-21 Source:

At Geek+, we provide solutions that integrate Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), with business intelligence software and AI technology to improve various logistics scenarios and enable efficient and flexible operations. With a large portfolio of successful cases, we've listed some of the advantages of AMRs.

 

  1. 1. Tripling the productivity of order fulfillment

When there are multiple orders received, the Geek+ Goods-to-Person (G2P) system will carry out multi-order picking. It controls the picking robot to carry a corresponded rack with multiple SKUs to the workstation for order picking by workers. Hence, a single pick can fulfill multiple orders. Workers do not have to spend time walking, looking for ordered items, on a specific shelf in scattered locations of the warehouse. Therefore, workers can focus on order picking only. This helps to increase the picking productivity by 300% when compared to the manual operation.


 2. Lower Labor Costs

Geek+ Goods-to-Person system also enables the optimization of labor. With the G2P system, workers can spend all the working hours focusing on order picking only. When order picking becomes more efficient, it means fewer workers can achieve the same or much higher picking productivity than manual operation. This helps reducing labor costs


  1. 3. No Single Point of Failure
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By implementing AMRs, warehouses can ensure continued operations and mitigate against issues associated with single-point-of-failure, which are common in operations relying on fixed infrastructure e.g operation may shut down when the conveyor belt is broken. If an AMR breaks down, it can be easily fixed and replaced without affecting the operation.


  1. 4. Flexible to Scale Up and Down
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The number of robots as well as hours of work per day can be easily adjusted to meet changes in demand even if there is an unexpected peak or off-peak season. Businesses can now avoid the difficulties associated with finding labor under various peak scenarios and the time associated with hiring and then training new staff. Through real-time monitoring and inventory control, the scheduling of AMRs can dynamically adjusted following incoming demands. 

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It also enables businesses to expand their scale in different stages. For example, deploying automation in one part of the warehouse and automating other parts later by adding more robots for the increasing demand in the future. 

  1. 5. Fast deployment
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AMRs can be flexibly implemented without the costs associated with fixed infrastructure. The mobility, autonomy, and size make them easy to implement into the existing warehouse. The infrastructures are required only as simple as five components: robots, workstation, WiFi, Shelf & QR code. Therefore, AMRs can be easily installed and can go-live within 1-3 months.

  1. 6. Higher Storage Capacity
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Implement the G2P system including the installation of standard racks. The total number of storage bin locations will increase. As the storage bin locations are customized for specific SKUs, therefore, each bin location can be fully utilized to store the same items. This ensures there is no space being wasted.

  1. 7. More Accurate Operations 
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Errors can have several explanations, however, avoiding them is becoming increasingly important as people have higher demands for faster and accurate services. By deploying AMRs, you can avoid errors associated with manual operations like stress brought on during peak, new staff, and increasingly difficult logistics scenarios like reverse logistics.

  1. 8. Safer Operations 
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AMRs are designed to work dynamically with their surroundings and are highly responsive. By using built-in sensors, laser scanner, and intelligent algorithms, it can detect workers or obstacles and then adjust the route. This allows for a safe and collaborative environment of AMRs and warehouse workers.


  1. 9. Improve the working environment

AMRs deployment is not simply replacing human works. Workers are still the most essential element in the operation. They are going to equip more skills to control the system and collaborate with the AMRs. Therefore, deploying AMRs is creating an ergonomic working process for workers and increasing their value to the business. 

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  1. 10. Flexible Relocation
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Imagine your warehouse needs to relocate due to costs or changes in business, in that case, moving the warehouse infrastructure can be a struggle and large additional cost may be involved in uninstalling. Unlike fixed infrastructure, AMRs are easy to relocate and can enable a quick transition period.

If you want to know more about the advantages of AMRs and how our services could help you upgrade your logistics operations, contact us today!