1 Introduction
Industrial mobile robots are intelligent equipment used in industrial logistics and manufacturing environments. These robots are typically equipped with navigation systems and are centrally controlled by onboard control systems. They mainly adopt wheeled mobility structures and integrate power systems or power transmission mechanisms to perform tasks such as material handling, production collaboration, and automated delivery.
From a system architecture perspective, industrial mobile robots generally consist of multiple modules, including the vehicle body structure, drive system, execution mechanism, safety protection system, control system, power supply system, navigation system, communication system, and human–machine interaction system. The high level of integration among these subsystems enables robots to operate stably, safely, and efficiently in complex industrial environments.
With the rapid development of industrial automation and intelligent manufacturing, industrial mobile robots have evolved into diverse technological routes. In terms of navigation methods, commonly used technologies include electromagnetic navigation, magnetic stripe navigation, magnetic nail navigation, QR code navigation, optical navigation, laser navigation, vision navigation, inertial navigation, RFID navigation, and multi-sensor fusion navigation. In terms of drive methods, systems can be categorized into single-wheel drive, dual-wheel drive, and multi-wheel drive structures. From the perspective of chassis architecture, configurations include differential drive structures, steering drive structures, mecanum wheel structures, tracked structures, and axle-type structures.
In addition, according to different application functions, industrial mobile robots can also be classified into handling robots, towing robots, assembly robots, inspection robots, sorting robots, and hybrid robots. As application scenarios continue to expand, various types of mobile robots have gradually formed representative technical systems and application models.
2 Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)
2.1 Overview of AMR Technology
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) represent one of the fastest-growing categories of industrial mobile robots in recent years. Unlike traditional AGVs that rely on fixed routes, AMRs possess environmental perception, autonomous localization, and dynamic path-planning capabilities, enabling them to operate flexibly in complex environments.
At present, AMRs are mainly applied in industrial manufacturing and intelligent logistics scenarios. Their core technological approaches primarily include laser SLAM and visual SLAM. Through real-time environmental mapping and localization algorithms, robots can achieve autonomous navigation and path planning even in unknown environments.
In practical applications, manufacturing environments often change frequently and require high system flexibility. As a result, AMRs are gradually becoming the mainstream type of mobile robot used in intelligent manufacturing scenarios.
2.2 Technology Development Trends
Currently, most industrial AMRs are still based primarily on laser SLAM technology. This is mainly because LiDAR performs well in terms of stability, environmental adaptability, and positioning accuracy. Although visual SLAM offers cost advantages and can extract more semantic information, it still faces challenges in complex lighting environments and scenarios with insufficient visual texture.
Future development trends are mainly reflected in several aspects.
First, multi-sensor fusion will become the mainstream technological approach. A single sensor cannot fully meet the reliability requirements of industrial environments. Therefore, LiDAR, vision systems, inertial navigation, and high-precision positioning technologies will gradually be integrated to form more stable navigation systems.
Second, three-dimensional perception capabilities will continue to improve. With the advancement of 3D LiDAR technology, mobile robots will not only perform two-dimensional navigation but also achieve three-dimensional environmental perception, providing the foundation for obstacle avoidance, collaboration, and intelligent decision-making in complex scenarios.
In addition, mobile robots will gradually expand from indoor environments to outdoor and semi-outdoor applications, playing important roles in scenarios such as smart campuses, smart mines, and smart airports.
3 Fork-Type Mobile Robots
3.1 Technical Characteristics
Fork-type mobile robots are automated material-handling equipment developed by integrating navigation systems, automatic control technology, and safety systems into traditional forklift platforms. By applying autonomous driving technology to forklift platforms, these robots can perform automated operations such as cargo handling, stacking, and transportation.
In recent years, with the increasing demand for automated logistics in enterprises, unmanned forklifts have gradually become an important segment of the industrial mobile robot market.
3.2 Development Trends
In terms of navigation technology, SLAM navigation is gradually becoming the mainstream solution for autonomous forklifts. Compared with traditional laser reflector navigation, SLAM navigation offers significant advantages in deployment efficiency and system flexibility.
In terms of product design, some companies are beginning to move beyond traditional forklift structures by developing innovative chassis and fork designs. Examples include U-shaped structures, side-fork structures, and dual-pallet handling structures, all of which aim to improve operational efficiency and space utilization.
At the same time, miniaturization and lightweight design are also important development directions for fork-type mobile robots. These products are compact, highly flexible, and easy to deploy, making them particularly suitable for short-distance material transportation within factories.
4 Bin Storage Robots
4.1 Technology Overview
Bin storage robot systems (CTU, Container Transfer Unit) are automated picking systems used in warehouse logistics. These systems typically consist of mobile robots, shelving systems, charging systems, workstations, and intelligent scheduling systems.
Robots use totes or original cartons as handling units and autonomously move to complete tasks such as shelf access and order picking.
4.2 Technology Development Trends
In terms of navigation technology, QR code navigation remains the mainstream solution for bin storage robots. Because warehouse environments are relatively fixed and require less path flexibility, QR code navigation offers clear advantages in terms of cost and stability.
From the perspective of technological innovation, the bin storage robot market has already formed a relatively mature product system. Industry innovation is mainly focused on several aspects.
First is the continuous optimization of hardware performance, such as improving robot speed, load capacity, and battery endurance.
Second is the ongoing upgrade of software systems, where intelligent scheduling algorithms are used to optimize the overall efficiency of warehouse systems.
Third is the innovation of system solutions, for example enabling collaboration between different types of robots to further improve overall logistics efficiency.
5 Hybrid Mobile Robots
5.1 Technology Overview
Hybrid mobile robots are intelligent robotic systems that combine a mobile platform with a robotic arm. Such systems typically consist of a mobile chassis, robotic arm, vision system, and end-effector, enabling them to perform operational tasks while moving.
By combining mobility with manipulation capabilities, these robots can execute more complex production tasks such as automated assembly, material sorting, and quality inspection.
5.2 Development Trends
In the early stages, hybrid mobile robots often relied on magnetic navigation and required additional positioning devices to achieve high-precision operations. With the development of AMR technology, autonomous navigation mobile platforms are gradually becoming the mainstream platform for hybrid robots.
Future development trends mainly include several aspects.
First, control systems will become further integrated. Coordinated control between mobile robots and robotic arms will become a key technology, and unified controllers may eventually enable fully coordinated operation.
Second, multi-sensor fusion positioning technology will further improve robots' spatial perception capabilities, thereby enhancing the overall accuracy and stability of the system.
In addition, with the development of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and 5G technology, hybrid mobile robots will achieve stronger intelligent capabilities and enable more flexible and efficient automated production.
6 Heavy-Duty Mobile Robots
6.1 Technical Characteristics
Heavy-duty mobile robots generally refer to industrial mobile equipment with load capacities exceeding 10 tons. They are mainly used in heavy manufacturing, rail transportation, aerospace, and large-scale equipment manufacturing industries.
Compared with conventional mobile robots, heavy-duty robots place higher technical requirements on structural design, power systems, and safety control.
6.2 Development Trends
As the level of industrial automation continues to increase, market demand for heavy-duty mobile robots is steadily growing. Future technological development will mainly be reflected in several aspects.
First is the development toward higher load capacities, with some heavy-duty robots already moving toward load capacities of several hundred tons.
Second is the advancement of more intelligent navigation technologies, where natural navigation is gradually replacing traditional magnetic stripe or QR code navigation methods.
Third is multi-vehicle cooperative transportation technology, where fleet coordination enables efficient transportation of large equipment.
7 Semi-Outdoor Mobile Robots
7.1 Application Scenarios
As mobile robot technology continues to mature, its application scope has gradually expanded from indoor environments to semi-outdoor and even fully outdoor environments.
In scenarios such as industrial park logistics, port terminals, airport transportation, and mine inspection, mobile robots are gradually replacing traditional manual transportation equipment.
7.2 Technology Development Trends
Technologically, semi-outdoor mobile robots are highly similar to low-speed autonomous vehicles. Their core technologies include environmental perception, positioning and navigation, path planning, and motion control.
In the future, mobile robots will further integrate with autonomous driving technology. Through high-precision positioning, visual perception, and LiDAR technology, robots will achieve more stable and safer outdoor operation capabilities.
At the same time, with the development of artificial intelligence and communication technologies, mobile robots will gradually form more intelligent logistics networks, enabling more efficient unmanned transportation systems.
Conclusion
Overall, industrial mobile robots are evolving from single automated devices into intelligent collaborative systems. With continuous advances in navigation technology, artificial intelligence, and autonomous driving technology, industrial mobile robots will play an increasingly important role in intelligent manufacturing, smart logistics, and smart cities, becoming a key driving force for the upgrade of industrial automation.
