AMR is a type of transport robot that is used in manufacturing and logistics. AGVs are also widely used as transport equipment, but what is the difference between AMR and AGV? We will introduce the characteristics and benefits of AMR, the environments suitable for its introduction, specific implementation examples, and the technology that supports the evolution of AMR.
Next-generation transport equipment AMR
Automating transport operations is essential for improving the efficiency of logistics and FA (factory automation). AMR is attracting attention as the next generation of transport equipment for such "transportation of goods."
Let's start by taking a look at the overview of what AMR can do.
What is AMR?
AMR is an abbreviation for "Autonomous Mobile Robot," and in Japanese it is called an "autonomous driving transport robot" or "collaborative transport robot." One of its major features is that it is equipped with a SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) function.
SLAM is a function that can measure the surrounding situation and estimate its own position, generating a map of the surrounding environment and a route to the destination, enabling it to travel while searching for a route on its own. This allows it to travel autonomously, automatically avoiding people and obstacles, and a major feature of AMR is that it can collaborate with people.
Differences from AGVs
AMRs are often compared to AGVs. What is the difference between the two?
AGV is an abbreviation for "Automatic Guided Vehicle," but there is a big difference between the "Autonomous" part of AMR and the "Guided" part of AGV. AGVs basically run on a set route by installing some kind of guider.
On the other hand, AMRs run autonomously while generating their own route.
As you can see, there are big differences in the driving methods, but the bigger difference is that they can work together.
AMRs can make their own decisions and run while avoiding people and obstacles, so they can share the work environment with people. Since they can work in the same space as people, they can play the role of "a robot that helps people by receiving and carrying things from them."
AGVs cannot avoid people or obstacles on the set route. It can be said that they are designed with an emphasis on the function of "transporting things."
For more information on AGVs, please see here:
What is an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle)? Types, Benefits of Introducing It, Technologies that Can Be Combined, etc. | Stratus Blog
What can be achieved by introducing AMR?
By implementing AMR, you can achieve the following:
Labor saving and manpower saving
By using AMRs to automatically transport objects, it is possible to reduce the labor required for transport work that was previously done by humans, and repeated labor-saving measures will lead to labor savings. By switching transport work from humans to AMRs, the burden of transporting heavy objects is reduced, allowing people to perform more creative tasks.
Improving transport efficiency
AMRs can transport large amounts of goods accurately, improving the efficiency of transport work. When transporting goods by humans, the movements and judgments of the people involved are subjective, and accuracy cannot be guaranteed. By using AMRs for transport, transport work can be performed without variation and can be standardized. This also improves the efficiency and accuracy of subsequent processes of the transport work.
No induction coil installation or route teaching required
Since AMRs can travel autonomously, there is no need to install guides like AGVs. In addition, since they travel while determining the optimal route in real time, there is no need to teach them the route. Another major benefit is that there is no need for large-scale facility construction or difficult programming when introducing them.
Flexible response to changes in layout and travel route
When using AGVs, changing the travel route requires reinstalling guide tape on the floor. With AMRs, there is no need for guides, so the travel route can be changed flexibly. Because AMRs automatically select the optimal travel route, they can flexibly respond to changes in the layout of the production line or changes in storage locations.
Able to collaborate with people
AGVs move along guide tapes installed on the floor, so they cannot respond if there are people or obstacles on the route. Therefore, the AGV's driving area and the human work space must be clearly separated. On the other hand, when AMRs detect people or obstacles, they can avoid them and proceed to their destination. They can share the work space with people and work right next to them. They can carry packages right next to people, reducing the burden on people and increasing the efficiency of transport work.
Environment suitable for introducing AMR
Although AMRs can operate autonomously and are not picky about the environment, they can be used more efficiently when certain conditions are met.
Here are some examples of environments and business where the introduction of AMRs can be highly effective.
Using robots to promote division of labor and increase efficiency
AMR has been introduced to the shipping operations at the warehouse at ASKUL, a major mail-order company. Previously, people would carry carts with handheld terminals around the warehouse to pick items. This method did not increase productivity, so AMR was introduced to improve the efficiency of picking operations.
When one picking operation is completed, the next AMR comes and carries the item. This has shortened the walking distance between picking operations and made it possible to separate the work areas of people. Pickers can now focus on picking, while unloading staff unload the items from the carts; this specialization has improved work efficiency.
Use in work that requires collaboration with people
Nippon Express's logistics center, which handles air conditioning equipment parts, handles over 20,000 items, and the high workload of picking workers was an issue. Therefore, they introduced 5 to 7 AMRs for every 3 pickers, and put in place a system that allows them to work together. In particular, in areas where small parts are handled, the hands of the pickers, which were previously occupied by handheld terminals and carts, are now freed up, allowing them to concentrate on picking work, speeding up work.
Changing the transport system in operating factories and warehouses
At another Nippon Express logistics warehouse, picking and sorting of daily necessities for supermarkets and home improvement centers is carried out. Although the company had previously considered introducing AGVs, it was unable to stop the warehouse's operations for the installation work, and so the plan was abandoned. With AMR, installation is possible with just the installation of the power supply and network, and there is no need to stop the warehouse's operations for large-scale construction work. The company was successful in introducing AMR in a short period of time while the warehouse continued to operate, and it is expected to be one solution to the labor shortage.
Transportation in factories and warehouses that require long distance travel
UNIQLO's warehouses have been actively working on automation from an early stage, but picking work was still done by hand, and issues remained. This is where AMR robots were introduced, equipped with robotic hands that can recognize and flexibly grasp various types of objects, and equipped with inspection functions. This not only automated the loading and unloading of items and the creation of delivery boxes, improving work efficiency, but also reducing physical strain by eliminating the need to travel long distances within the warehouse.
Reduces the burden of transporting large or heavy objects
At Trusco Nakayama's warehouse, which handles machine tools, heavy items are often handled, which creates a heavy workload and reduces time efficiency. By introducing AMR, the company was able to automate transportation between processes. By linking it with a palletizing robot, the company has also succeeded in automating transportation work from sorting to shipping.
A manufacturing line where people and transport equipment share the same space
Takanashi Dairy needed to install two conveyors for the process of transporting filled containers, but it was difficult to install the conveyors in the work room, which was not large. Therefore, they introduced an AMR to transport the filled containers. When the AMR detects the presence of people, it stops and moves away, so it can continue transporting the containers while sharing the space without blocking people's movement. It is said that this has made it possible to flexibly respond to changes in production plans.
Technologies for successful AMR operation
Machine vision and edge computing are essential technologies for the operation of AMR, but how are these two technologies related to AMR?
Machine Vision
Machine vision is essential to enable AMRs to drive autonomously. Machine vision is a type of computer vision, a technology that gives AMRs the visual and judgment capabilities to perform automatic control through image processing. The relationship between machine vision and AMRs is not limited to driving. AMRs can also read product information during the transport process and perform visual inspections during the inspection process. In these cases, too, the performance of the machine vision determines the functionality of the robot. As machine vision evolves, it is expected that the scope and accuracy of AMRs will improve even further.
Edge Computing
When many AMRs are operated at the same time, control involves sending and receiving a lot of data. In addition, when considering AMRs that not only run but also perform tasks with their robotic parts, even more data processing is required. In such cases, edge computing can be expected to have a significant effect in terms of improving processing speed and ensuring reliability.
Edge computing processes data at the "edge" of the network, that is, in a location close to the edge, and accumulates it in the cloud as necessary. This allocation makes it possible to speed up data processing, ensure safety, and even accumulate it as big data. In the future, when even more AMRs are operated simultaneously and advanced tasks are required, it is inevitable that speed of data processing will be required. Edge computing will likely become an essential technology in expanding the use of AMRs.
AMR is expected to be the next generation of collaborative robots
AMRs started out as vehicles that carried out transportation tasks on behalf of humans, but they have since evolved to be able to handle even more complex tasks. Unlike AGVs, AMRs can autonomously avoid people and obstacles while driving, so there are high hopes for their potential to work with humans. AMRs are still being developed, and are expected to be able to handle even more complex tasks in the future. When that time comes, more advanced peripheral technologies such as machine vision and edge computing will likely be required to operate AMRs successfully.
