Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
An autonomous mobile robot (AMR) is any robot that can understand and move through its environment without being overseen directly by an operator. Typically, this is achieved through an array of sophisticated on-board sensors, computers, and maps, which allow AMRs to understand and interpret their environment in order to function as a form of asynchronous transportation.
In a warehouse setting, these sophisticated technologies partner with the warehouse execution software (WES) in order to grant AMRs increased flexibility to create their own routes between locations within a warehouse or facility, identifying and avoiding obstacles and rerouting themselves when necessary. The end result is a robot that is much better able to deal with the dynamic environment offered by most order fulfillment operations.
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TiltSort-Bot Sortation Putwall AMR
Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) Proof of Concept (POC) Program
Stacker-Bot Autonomous Mobile Robot and Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS)
Though a young technology, AMRs come in a number of different varieties, which can be put to use in a variety of ways within an order fulfillment operation, including:
- Transporting product and freight within a facility
- Assisting in the picking process
- Facilitating sortation
- Increasing inventory visibility
By aiding an operation in these processes, AMRs have the potential to contribute a number of benefits which can improve your bottom line and help your operation become more profitable:
- Increased Flexibility: Instead of following hard-set paths, AMRs are able to dynamically create their own efficient pathways from Point A to Point B within a facility, helping them to avoid obstacles and allowing for agile, modular automation.
- Increased Safety: Packed to the gills with many sensors and cameras, AMRs can interpret and understand their environment in order to travel within a facility without colliding with obstacles such as product, infrastructure, or people.
- Quick Implementation: AMRs can often be deployed within an operation in four to six weeks.
- Modular Deployment: Because AMRs are relatively easy to implement within a facility, it is possible to follow a modular deployment system—starting with a few units and adding more as necessary as your operation grows and your needs change.
Power of Choice to Use the Best Manufactured Solutions
As one of the premier systems integrators in North America, Conveyco has access to the very best technologies and manufacturers in the world. This allows us to focus solely on our the needs and requirements of our clients, and not quotas or factory capacities.
Our loyalty is always to the client—never to the manufacturer or technology.
Below is a look at some of the robotic and AMR technologies available to our clients.
Robotic Arms
Articulated robotic arms can be utilized in picking, packing, sorting, and a variety of other applications within your operation. Paired with other technologies, these arms can dramatically reduce your labor needs.
We have access to the entire gamut of robotic arms to meet specific requirements: Robot payload, number of axes, robot reach (stroke), motion range (degrees), repeatability, speed, robot mass (weight), brakes and inertia, IP rating (safety).
Ideal for picking items or cases.
Stacker-Bot
The Stacker-Bot is similar to the Pick & Put-Bot (above), but with increased capacity.
Able to pick and stack up to 5 levels of products up to 102” tall to feed conveyor, sorters, automated storage and retrieval (AS/RS), work cells, and other equipment, and as such can be used to support a range of applications within an operation.
Wave, batch, continuous or zone picking easily supported.
TiltSort-Bot
A high speed tilt tray robot designed to sort parcels, packages, and items.
Eliminates wasted floor space, start up time, and acquisition costs associated with traditional tilt tray conveyor systems. Modular design to meet all peak and valley requirements.
Ideal for parcel distribution, order picking and sortation and replenishment applications.
Learn more about tilt-sort bots for your warehouse and order fulfillment operations.
Hi-Tilt Bot
The Hi-Tilt is similar in many regards to the TiltSort Bot (above). It is a robotic tilt tray delivery robot for small items 18” wide and up to 12.2 lbs. in weight. The tray sits 43” tall, making it an ideal interface for a range of other systems.
As with the TiltSort (above), a modular design allows the model to meet all peak and valley requirements in a given warehouse or order fulfillment operation.
It’s ideally used in sorting items and orders into totes, cartons, pallets, or gaylords.
Go-Fer Bot
A broad range of autonomous Go- Fer Bot models to meet a wide range of weight, speed, and application requirements.
The Go-Fer Bot can be used with robotic or human operators to support item or carton sortation, order picking, replenishment, and consolidation within an operation.
Ideal for picking, replenishing, returns and kitting applications.
Robotics Resources
If you’d like to learn more about the topic of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and the role that the can play in making your operation more efficient and productive, we encourage you to read some of the resources that we have written on the subject:
AMRs vs. AS/RS: Which Makes More Sense for Your Operational Needs?
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
