Robotics goes mobile

News Story
- 16 Jan 2020 ( #957 ) - Chicago, IL, United States
2 min read
AGV developers like Geek+ are deploying thousands of robots yearlyGeek+ showcased new products
AGV developers like Geek+ are deploying thousands of robots yearlyGeek+ showcased new products
The robotics market is set to transform over the next 10 years. That's according to Automation World which cites research indicating enormous growth across all subsectors.

By 2022, the burgeoning mobile robotics space will start to overtake the traditional industrial robotics market. Currently, mobile autonomy is concentrated in materials handling within the supply chain, but mobile robots are set to touch every sector of the global economy for a wide range of use cases.

"Everyone talks about self-driving passenger vehicles, but mobile automation is far more developed in intralogistics for fulfilment and industry," says Rian Whitton, senior analyst at ABI Research. "The automation of materials handling will see huge segments of the global forklift, tow truck and indoor vehicle market consumed by robotics vendors and OEMs that bring indoor autonomy."

The report identifies Amazon Robotics as the leader that has driven growth in mobile robotics for the last seven years since its acquisition of Kiva Systems. With an estimated 256,000 automated guided vehicles (AGVs) deployed to date, Amazon holds close to 50% of materials handling robot marketshare and is broadening its portfolio of robot subtypes with autonomous mobile robots for transport and delivery.

Other major AGV developers, like Quicktron, JD.com, Geek+ and Grey Orange, are deploying thousands of robots yearly, while automated mobile robot (AMR) developers are just beginning to scale up. Brain Corp. has deployed 5,000 systems primarily in retail, while BlueBotics has deployed some 2,000 robots for intralogistics in and around the supply chain. Meanwhile MiR, an AMR company acquired by Teradyne in 2018, is beginning to achieve growth rates in excess of the company's other robotics acquisition of major cobot developer Universal Robots.

Experts estimate that 2.5 million AGVs will be shipped in 2030, while the total shipments of AMRs will reach 2.9 million in the same year. This is due to the declining costs of superior navigation and the desire to build flexibility into robotic fleets.

"As mature sectors of the robotics industry achieve growth more in line with established technology markets, mobile robotics are set to create lasting transformative effects across the supply chain and will become increasingly ubiquitous throughout the global economy," says Whitton.
Capow helps achieve 100% uptime for Hyundai Glovis
Capow helps achieve 100% uptime for Hyundai Glovis 5 Jun 2025 - Be’er Sheva, Israel - 1 min read
Bolzoni acquires specialist equipment manufacturer
Bolzoni acquires specialist equipment manufacturer 29 May 2025 - Piacenza, Italy - 1 min read
Manitou creates robotics division
Manitou creates robotics division 15 May 2025 - Ancenis, France - 1 min read
Previously about:
MODEX exhibitors focus on labour shortage News Story - 28 Mar 2024 - Atlanta, GA, United States - 7 min read
Winners of Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2023 announced News Story - 16 Nov 2023 - London, United Kingdom - 2 min read
Numina to automate Orgill warehouse News Story - 24 Aug 2023 - Tifton, GA, United States - 1 min read
KION and Quicktron in strategic partnership News Story - 13 Aug 2020 - Xiamen, China - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

Even the heaviest lifts must be easy to handle. That’s why N.C. Nielsen raises the bar in lifting capacity, maneuverability, operator comfort, flexibility and technical capabilities.
Heavy duty reach stackers – lifting capacity from 85 to 180 tons.
VIEW ALL OUR CUSTOM-BUILT HEAVY DUTY REACH STACKERS

Contact us now: +45 99 83 83 83 - www.nc-nielsen.com

Words of support …

Thanks to advertising with Forkliftaction, GemOne has experienced a significant enhancement in our online presence. Working with Forkliftaction has enabled us to boost engagement with our targeted audience, resulting in an increase in information requests and downloads of valuable materials from our website. Forkliftaction has consistently delivered outstanding results, helping us to effectively connect with the right audience.

Justine Lootens, CEO

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Even the heaviest lifts must be easy to handle. That’s why N.C. Nielsen raises the bar in lifting capacity, maneuverability, operator comfort, flexibility and technical capabilities.
Heavy duty reach stackers – lifting capacity from 85 to 180 tons.
VIEW ALL OUR CUSTOM-BUILT HEAVY DUTY REACH STACKERS

Contact us now: +45 99 83 83 83 - www.nc-nielsen.com

PREMIUM business

GemOne
Telematics for industrial fleets. Fleet & safety management solutions: track vehicles, boost efficiency, operate safer, & avoid unexpected downtime.

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

We’re excited to launch a major upgrade to the Forkliftaction forums, packed with new features and improvements. Here’s what’s new:

  • You can now add up to two photos to your posts
  • New search & navigation - find what you need easier
  • Smart brand/model tagging across all forums
  • Top contributors recognised for their efforts!

 Head over to the forums to check it out!