We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Demand for fulfillment robots to soar
Forward Thinking

Demand for fulfillment robots to soar

September 5, 2019
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments

The global market for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) is expected to soar over the next five years, especially those used for order fulfillment, according to the 2019 Mobile Robot Market Report from Interact Analysis, released Wednesday.

The United Kingdom-based researcher says the market is reaching a tipping point, driven in large part by Amazon's heavy adoption of robotics and automation and the resulting need for retailers and logistics companies to keep pace. The report predicts that, excluding Amazon, companies will have deployed more than 100,000 AMRs for order fulfillment by the end of 2020, and that 580,000 are expected to be installed by 2023. 

As a result, makers of goods-to-person mobile robots—which includes companies such as GreyOrange, Swisslog, and Geek+—will see the highest growth in revenues, according to Ash Sharma, research director at Interact Analysis.

"With Amazon deploying Kiva's goods-to-person approach for order fulfillment, it's easy to see why others like GreyOrange, Geek+ and Quicktron have followed in its footsteps, and arguably have seen [the] greatest success so far," Sharma said in a statement announcing the release of the report. "Despite this, AMR vendors have emerged with a variety of different approaches and sub-approaches. The question over which technology or approach will 'win' is not an easy one to answer. All approaches are forecast for strong growth (albeit at different paces and timeframes), and the approach preferred will depend on a number of variables."

Sharma said makers of "person-to-goods" robots will see the second highest revenue growth over the next five years; these include companies such as 6 River Systems and Locus Robotics, which make robots that lead human workers through fulfillment centers to pick items off of shelves. Makers of piece-picking and sortation robots will experience lower, but still strong, revenue growth as well, Sharma said.

"While in every industry there are always winners and losers, right now it appears that the size of the untapped opportunity and the underlying drivers of demand are more than strong enough to support all the vendor types we see today, and as a result we expect very promising growth for the majority," he said.

Logistics Technology
  • Related Articles

    Rapid delivery market to drive long-term demand for micro-fulfillment centers

    Outlook calls for strong demand for urban logistics, last-mile fulfillment

    Demand management needs to incorporate more than just planning and fulfillment, says Gartner

Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

Truck tonnage index fell 2% in April

Report: Collaboration can help minimize supply disruption

APM Terminals to add capacity at Port of Mobile

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Logistics pros warn of business impact from Russia-Ukraine war

  • Container prices continue to drop

  • How to resolve your inventory dilemma

  • Warehouse vacancy rates sink to 27-year low

  • Empty shipping containers stack up at U.S. port depots

Featured Video

Cccb7d13 710a 4473 8132 da8b6cc286f1

The Sportsman's Guide Case study: Increasing Accuracy & Productivity

Viewer Contributed
Thanks to the Lucas Warehouse Optimization Suite, The Sportsman's Guide has increased productivity, reduced training time, and experienced a boost in accuracy for both full-time staff and seasonal employees. Want to learn how Lucas can help your DC be more efficient, accurate, and safe while reducing labor costs?...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Omnitracs One – Last Mile Solutions

  • The enterprise shipper's guide to building a smarter truckload RFP

  • Fixed vs. Flexible Automation: Which Option is Better for 3PLs?

  • Enhancing Relationships in Logistics through Data & Collaboration

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2022. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing