AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOTS MARKET ANALYSIS

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market size was valued at US$ 2.57 Billion in 2022, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2% from 2023 to 2030.

The global autonomous mobile robots market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, fueled by advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence technologies. Autonomous mobile robots, also known as AMRs, are self-navigating robots capable of performing tasks without human intervention. They are widely utilized in various industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, retail, and agriculture, among others. The key factors driving the expansion of this market are the growing demand for automation to improve operational efficiency, the increasing need for cost-effective and flexible solutions, and the rising adoption of Industry 4.0 principles. AMRs offer numerous benefits, including increased productivity, reduced labor costs, enhanced safety, and faster task execution, leading to their widespread adoption across different sectors. The ongoing research and development efforts to enhance the capabilities of autonomous mobile robots, such as obstacle detection and avoidance, advanced AI-based decision-making, and improved connectivity and communication technologies, are further propelling the market growth.

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market- Regional Analysis

Figure 1. Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market Share (%), By Region, 2022

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Europe dominates this market with the highest share. This is because major companies are focusing on increasing sales, service and support, delivery, and training services by expanding their sales channels in the region. For example, Auto Guide Mobile Robots announced an expansion in December 2020 and it expanded its European operations with the opening of a new office in Munich, Germany to provide the best possible support to its dealers and customers. In addition, huge investments by government agencies to promote the construction of smart factories and Industry 4.0 are also factors driving the global market.

Following Europe, the Asia-Pacific region should grow significantly over the next few years. This is mainly due to the presence of licensed and unlicensed regional players who implement various marketing strategies to further expand their geographic reach and potential impact on the global market. Also, the presence of mega-states such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India, which are mainly focused on integrating advanced technologies such as 5G networks, AI-based route mapping and localization, have increased the market potential. may have an impact. growth.

North America is likely to grow steadily due to the increasing e-commerce sales observed in the region. In addition, the rapid adoption of this technology, the presence of major manufacturers in the region, and huge funding from regulatory authorities for the construction of automated warehouses and distribution centers have further fueled the growth of the market.

The Middle East and Africa are expected to grow moderately due to increased infrastructure development in the region. In addition, manufacturers operating mainly in GCC countries, Turkey, Israel, etc. are focusing on building smart factories and Industry 4.0, which may affect the growth of the market. 

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market – Segmentation

Figure 2. Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market Value (US$ Mn) Analysis and Forecast, By Type, 2022

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On the basis of Type, Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market is segmented into Unmanned Ground Vehicle, Humanoid, Unamnned Aerial Vehicle & Unmanned Marine Vehicle. The global autonomous mobile robots market is categorized into four main segments: Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), Humanoids, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and Unmanned Marine Vehicles (UMVs). Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) are terrestrial robots designed to navigate and perform tasks on the ground autonomously. They are extensively used in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture for material handling, inventory management, and surveillance. Humanoids, on the other hand, are robots designed to resemble humans in appearance and locomotion.

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 2.57 Billion in 2022, and expected to reach US$ 8.47 Billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 16.2% between 2023 and 2030.

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market- Key Competitors

The major players include Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Clearpath Robotics, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz, Softbank Robotics, SMP Robotics, Aethon.

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market- Recent Developments

1. As on Oct 2021, Airbus Company, a leading multinational aerospace and defense corporation, China Aviation Industry, and Tianjin Free Trade Zone signed a letter of intent to establish a Tianjin Airbus A330 aircraft completion and delivery center in Berlin. Airbus A320 series aircraft joint construction of Airbus Company and composed of AVIC and Tianjin Free Trade Zone Chinese consortium Tianjin assembly line project success laid the foundation for both sides to explore cooperation in the wide-body aircraft. The Airbus assembly line in Tianjin has completed the final assembly and delivery of more than 190 Airbus A319 aircraft and A320.
2. As on Dec 2021, the building of Bailong General Aviation Airport, a prominent aviation facility in China in Hefei City, Anhui Province, was kicked off by CAIGA (China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd.), a subsidiary of AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China), is a major player in China's general aviation sector. CAIGA and its partner, Hefei General Aviation, invested around USD 64 Million the A1-rated airport, which is the province's largest and most advanced general aviation airport. CAIGA also won the bid for Wuxi Dingshu General Aviation Airport's expansion consultation project. By developing the local general aviation airfield network, CAIGA hopes to help the Yangzte River Triangle's general aviation industry grow.
3. As on 2020, regarding a significant move towards advancing their robotic capabilities, Clearpath Robotics, a leading robotics company has taken a stride in further integrating the expansion of its Jackal UGV, Husky UGV, and Dingo platforms. This forward-thinking approach includes the seamless incorporation of expanded support for the cutting-edge Nvidia Jetsons series, encompassing the Nano, Xavier NX/AGX, and TX2 modules. As a result of this strategic alliance, the company's robotic fleet has received a substantial computing boost, thanks to the powerful processing capabilities of the Nvidia Jetson modules.
4. As on 2021, During a company-funded technological demonstration, GA-ASI, a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems, exhibited better situational awareness and targeting capacity for ground forces. The demonstration focused on allowing a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) to control the EO/IR sensor on a Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and quickly call for direct and indirect fire on a variety of targets. Using an Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) and a TrellisWare TW-950 TSM Shadow Radio, the JTAC was able to see GE-ER video, aircraft location, and sensor field of sight.

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market– Drivers

Growing Adoption Across End Users

The use of autonomous mobile robots and mobile manipulators create a flexible and autonomous industrial automation that is needed to create Smart Factories, where exchange of information is made possible by the integration of the latest intelligent technologies into robotics, such as the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, or Big Data. This has driven the adoption of autonomous mobile robots in Industry 4.0 and Manufacturing. In the agriculture industry, autonomous vehicles such as self-driving tractors guide fertilizer application while maneuvering around and away from growing plants. They can also work regardless of light conditions, and the guidance equipment they use in field navigation provides accurate information even in dense fog, thick dust, and heavy winds. For instance, an autonomous tractor by CNH Technologies is equipped with GPS and sensor technologies that allow it to work unmanned at all times of the day. For instance, in May 2023,  Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) industry leader Otto Motors took a major step forward in enhancing customer support and service delivery with the launch of the long-awaited Otto Certified Dealer program. With a strong commitment to providing quality service and support, the program was designed to meet the growing demand for automation solutions across North America. With a network of over 215 local offices and a workforce of over 2,000 skilled technicians, Otto Motors wanted to provide local support and responsiveness to its valued customers. 

Rising E-commerce Industry to Work in Favor of Market Growth

The exponential development of the e-commerce industry has allowed warehouse and distribution center owners to focus on improving their operational workflows from manual to automated to assist in ensuring a better buying experience for its consumers. In February 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that spending on online platforms accounted for 16.0% of total retail sales in 2019. This will ultimately make it easier for large e-commerce companies to implement autonomous technology in their fulfillment centers. Moreover, Walmart, a giant global retailer of goods and services for example, will begin installing bot-manned automated warehouses to handle pickups and deliveries at dozens of stores in January 2021. This increases efficiency for customers, provides faster fulfillment, and improves availability.

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market– Restraints

High initial investment

An observed limiting factor is the huge investment required in the early stages to rebuild automated distribution warehouses and centers to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. This indicates a difficult situation for SMEs to withhold funds due to low output and long delays in return on investment. High costs associated with procurement, integration, programming, accessories, etc. hinder the growth of the global market. In addition, vendors have to deploy robots in parallel with their current operations, sometimes creating inventory management and control issues.

Counterbalance – SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) can embrace automation with greater confidence, unlocking the productivity and efficiency benefits that automated distribution warehouses and centers offer. Over time, these measures contribute to the overall growth of the global market as more businesses recognize the potential of automation and invest in advanced solutions.

Communication and Connectivity Issues (Navigation and Perception)

AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) are based on a distributed architecture where a communication network plays a significant role in fulfilling the requirements that permit the system to show properties such as dependability. A network must be used to interconnect the several modules of an AMR, which must be able to support the traffic requirements to carry on the data flows produced by the nodes. To function correctly, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) must navigate safely through known and unknown environments while carrying out its assigned task. Mapping, localization, and navigation are classic problems for mobile robots. As robots become more autonomous, adaptable, and versatile in their applications, finding effective solutions to these challenges becomes crucial. Also, if the environment is very dusty or has a lot of steam, the AMR will not navigate properly, as its sensors will be disturbed. Too many narrow paths and turns in tunnels will also make it challenging to employ AMRs.

Counterbalance - While challenges such as communication, navigation, and environmental factors exist, the continuous development of innovative technologies and smart solutions demonstrates the commitment to making AMRs more dependable and adaptable. As research and advancements progress, these counterbalancing efforts will contribute to expanding the range of applications for AMRs and promoting their widespread adoption across diverse industries, ultimately unlocking their full potential in revolutionizing autonomous mobile robotic systems.

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market– Opportunity

Applications in Defense Industry

Autonomous mobile robots find wide applications in the defense industry, commonly in defense and security forces, where these systems are known as RSA or robotics and autonomous systems. The robots are finding their applications in air, land, and marine applications, operating in a hostile and unsafe environment. Major militaries of the world are growing toward the induction of AI-powered autonomous fighting robots. Due to this, many defense supplier companies are enhancing their product portfolio in the AMR segment as well. For instance, in January 2020, Boeing Co., an aircraft manufacturer signed an agreement with Tactical Robotics, a specialist in unmanned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, where Tactical Robotics' Fancraft enclosed rotor technology is being used by the firms to design, produce, and market aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities.

AI and IoT integration

The future AMRs are expected to be equipped with AI camera images and IoT, which will make allow them to connect with other modules of the industry but majorly will help in the accuracy of the robot, helping it to easily maneuver in tight and busy shop floors of the industry. This will also enhance their automation capabilities, and AMRs will be able to work with other automated systems of the factory rather than just being used for ferrying goods between two terminals. AMR has also been finding applications in the agriculture sector, which are expected to rise significantly in the future. Agriculture robots or agribots are seen as one of the key trends that will deeply influence agriculture. Agribots are already permanent fixtures in many farms, but with constant evolution in technology, AI, IoT, and 5G will enhance the capabilities of these robots to a whole new level. Currently, many of the weed removers, fruit picker, and soil monitoring AMRs are already in prototype and experimenting forms. With enhanced capabilities, these products will be a piece of permanent farm machinery in the future with enhanced capabilities such as pest removal and pesticide treatment.

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market– Impact of COVID-19

Digitalization and automation are some of the crucial measures that are being implemented in strengthening manufacturing businesses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, many companies that successfully tested AMR solutions are returning for more and planning full-scale deployments of more robots to improve internal logistics and efficiency and enable their workers to focus on higher-value tasks. The pandemic has also propelled the development and growth of cleaning modules for autonomous mobile robots as they are deployed to disinfect offices, hospitals, and other public places to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. In December 2020, faced with an over-burdened workforce and strict quality standards, one of Canada’s largest hospital networks decided to automate floor cleaning with mobile robots. Avidbots, a leading robotics company and Sodexo, a multinational food services and facilities management partnered to deploy Neo, an autonomous floor scrubbing robot, to support the cleaning staff at Ontario- based London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Neo can adapt to its surrounding environment in real-time and can automatically update its route to avoid obstacles. Since the coronavirus outbreak, one of the popular uses of robotics has been deploying autonomous mobile systems to disinfect facilities, where ultraviolet disinfection (UVD) robots use UV light to kill harmful microorganisms. To maintain health and safety, various hospitals have deployed these autonomous mobile robots. Chinese hospitals have ordered more than 2,000 UVD robots from Blue Ocean Robotics as of April 2020.

*Definition: Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are robotic systems equipped with advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and onboard computing capabilities that enable them to navigate and interact with their environment without requiring constant human intervention. These robots possess the ability to move freely in dynamic environments, avoiding obstacles, and adapting to changes in their surroundings.