CARGOCONNECT-JANUARY2025 - Flipbook - Page 10
PURPOSEFUL
Mobile Robots
Primed to Lead the
Logistics Century
T
he global mobile robots market is experiencing
signi昀椀cant growth. Estimated to be valued
at US$20.3 billion in 2023, the market is
projected to reach US$40.6 billion by 2028,
growing at a Compound Annual Growth
Rate (CAGR) of 14.9% from 2023 to 2029.
ABI Research forecasts that shipments of mobile
robots will grow from 547,000 units in 2023 to 2.79
million units by 2030, registering a CAGR of 24.1%.
Mobile robots, especially in warehousing and logistics,
are expected to dominate robot form factors in terms
of shipments. Revenue generated from mobile robots is
anticipated to rise from US$18 billion in 2023 to US$124
billion by 2030, re昀氀ecting a CAGR of 23.6%.
This rapid market growth is driven by advancements in Internet of Things (IoT), Arti昀椀cial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and sensor
technologies, which enhance robots’ navigation and
interaction capabilities. A key factor contributing
to this growth is the rising demand for automation
across sectors like logistics, manufacturing, and
healthcare. Mobile robots are improving e昀케ciency
and reducing costs in these industries, with the
e-commerce boom, in particular, fuelling the
adoption of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
in warehouses for inventory management and
order ful昀椀lment.
With the use of mobile robots at a tipping
point, predictions suggest that deployments of
AMRs and Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
will increase by 53,000 by 2025.
While AGVs can be a valuable component of any
automation strategy, AMRs o昀昀er greater capabilities, particularly when it comes to navigating new
environments, such as outdoor spaces. While AGVs
10 | CARGOCONNECT JANUARY 2025
are typically wheeled robots, AMRs come in a variety
of locomotion forms beyond wheels, including bipedal,
multi-legged, or tracked designs. This versatility allows
AMRs to better adapt to less predictable environments
than a traditional warehouse, making them easier for a
wide range of industries to adopt quickly.
Significant trends also include the growing use
of collaborative robots (COBOTS), which work safely
alongside humans, and the rise of Robotics-as-a-Service
(RaaS) models, allowing businesses to implement robotics
without substantial upfront investments. The RaaS
market is projected to reach US$44 billion by 2028.
Additionally, the cost of industrial robots is expected to
drop to US$10,800 by 2025, a signi昀椀cant decrease from
US$46,000 in 2010 and US$27,000 in 2017. As these
robots become more a昀昀ordable, they are set to become
as commonplace across industries as mobile devices.
The integration of 5G technology is also a critical
enabler, facilitating real-time data processing and connectivity in dynamic environments. A recent report
published by Goldman Sachs Research estimates that AI
and robotic systems could replace the equivalent of 25%
of the 300 million full-time jobs by 2030. In addition,
the report forecasts that two-thirds of the jobs in the
US and Europe could be exposed to some degree of AI
automation. According to IDC, enterprises worldwide are
expected to spend US$307 billion on AI solutions next
year, growing to US$632 billion by 2028, at a compound
annual growth rate of 29.0%. AI will have a cumulative
global economic impact of US$19.9 trillion through 2030
and will drive 3.5% global GDP in 2030, IDC predicts.
While warehousing and logistics will remain the
primary adopters, other industries are expected to experience rapid uptake of mobile robots by the end of the decade.
The decreasing costs, enhanced versatility, and simpli昀椀ed
programmability o昀昀ered by vendors are making mobile
robots more accessible across various sectors.
Looking ahead, the mobile robots market will
continue to o昀昀er substantial opportunities, particularly
as Industry 4.0 technologies are adopted in warehousing
and industrial automation. Industry 4.0 integrates digital
technologies, data connectivity, and automation into
industrial processes, with businesses seeking greater
e昀케ciency, productivity, and agility.
Mobile robots are a crucial component of these
digital transformation e昀昀orts, automating tasks such
as material handling, picking, and logistics operations.
They can seamlessly integrate with other Industry
4.0 technologies, including IoT, cloud computing, and
AI-driven systems. This integration enables real-time
data exchange, advanced analytics, and intelligent
decision-making, signi昀椀cantly enhancing operational
e昀케ciency. Moreover, it improves inventory accuracy,
reduces errors, and supports predictive maintenance.
As e-commerce continues to grow and supply chains
become more complex, the demand for mobile robots
will rise. Their scalability, 昀氀exibility, and adaptability
make them indispensable assets in the rapidly evolving
landscape of Industry 4.0. With ongoing investment in
digital transformation and automation, the mobile robots
market will continue to provide innovative solutions
that align with the needs of modern industries.
