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Interact Analysis research provides insight into what end users expect from autonomous mobile robots | Source: Adobe Stock
Mobile robots have become an essential part of the automation world in recent years. For end users, mobile robots bring flexibility, scalability and efficiency to a wide range of industries and applications. But what do customers actually want from a mobile robot? And how do they evaluate and choose between different technologies and vendors?
Market research firm Interact Analysis has released the results of its 2024 Mobile Robot Buyer Study. The global survey explored the preferences, expectations, and challenges of end users of mobile automation. The firm spoke to 300 mobile robot buyers and users across a range of company sizes, verticals, and geographies.
Through this research, Interact Analysis aimed to understand the current and future adoption of mobile robots, the factors influencing purchasing decisions, and the challenges and benefits of using mobile automation.
Mobile robots are popular with major manufacturers
The survey showed that mobile robot adoption is growing across industries, but not at the same pace across sectors: 95% of respondents said their facilities already use some form of mobile automation, such as automated forklifts, platforms, conveyors, or autonomous mobile robots (AMRs); however, this percentage varies significantly by company size and sector.
Large companies with revenues of over $1 billion were more likely to use mobile robots than smaller companies, and manufacturers in the automotive, electrical and semiconductor sectors were also more likely to use mobile robots than retailers, third-party logistics (3PL) and other industries.
71% of respondents said they only partially automate workflows using mobile robots, indicating there is still room to improve and expand mobile automation.
When it comes to emerging technologies, artificial intelligence was the most commonly cited emerging trend of interest to customers, especially when it came to mobile automation.
Meanwhile, customers were less familiar with the VDA 5050 standard for communication and interoperability: Only 20% of respondents said they were very aware of the standard, and only 8% said it was or would soon be a mandatory requirement for purchasing decisions between fleet managers and mobile robots developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).
According to Interact Analysis, customers are more concerned with cost than loyalty.
On average, respondents use 3.4 different mobile robot brands. | Source: Interact Analysis
Interact Analysis’ research revealed that cost and integration difficulties were the main barriers and drivers for mobile robot adoption, and were the two leading drivers in technology and vendor selection. The most common reasons for not using mobile robots were high price or perceived low return on investment (ROI), followed by environmental factors such as floor compatibility, space constraints, and climate.
Research shows that customers are not loyal to one mobile robot brand or type, preferring to use multiple brands and types to suit different workflows and equipment.
On average, respondents use 3.4 different mobile robot brands, with a total of 123 different brands listed, reflecting the fragmentation and diversity of the market.
The most commonly mentioned brand was ABB, followed by OMRON, KUKA and Locus Robotics. However, when survey respondents were asked which brands they considered for their lessons, responses varied by industry and application, and Interact Analysis will publish the results at a later date.
Customers responded that they would prefer to use the same mobile robot brand for different workflows within the same building, but not necessarily across different buildings or facilities within their network, indicating that customers are less concerned about robot interoperability within their facilities.
The most important factors when selecting a vendor were vendor track record, integration expertise, and local/onsite support, followed by vendor stability and size. Price and product range were less important than vendor reputation and service, the survey found.
Chinese vendors were less popular among customers, with only 20% of respondents saying they had used a Chinese vendor or would consider using one in the future. The most common reasons for not considering a Chinese vendor were security concerns, performance issues, safety issues, and legal reasons.
The main barriers to adopting mobile robots are a lack of available budgets and other competing priorities. | Source: Interact Analysis
What are your customers’ expectations from mobile robots?
According to the survey, the most common reason for the need to automate was the desire to reduce operational costs, followed by the need to improve reliability and accuracy. Surprisingly, labor shortages were not one of the top reasons for automation.
When selecting technology for the automation project, lowest whole-life cost and ease/speed of integration were the most important factors, followed by system flexibility and performance.
When it comes to automation, customers expect a quick return on investment (ROI) and smooth implementation with mobile robots. 80% of respondents expect ROI within three years, with the majority expecting it within 18 months to three years. 3PLs typically expect a faster ROI than other sectors.
Customers typically measure the success of their robotics deployments across a variety of metrics. The most common metrics used to measure the success of a mobile robot deployment are ROI, productivity, throughput, accuracy, and cost savings.
Customers also expected to see the automation system in action through an in-house demo, a reference site visit, or a visit to the supplier’s demo center before making a final purchase.The most common pain points encountered during the purchase and implementation process were slow operations, difficulties with routing and tasks, and issues with integration with in-house software.
Once the robots were up and running, the most common pain points were poor maintenance forecasting, costly downtime, and too much manual intervention.
“This study provides valuable insights for mobile robot suppliers and integrators looking to better understand their customers and improve customer service,” said Ash Sharma, chief commercial officer and vice president of robotics and warehouse automation research at Interact Analysis.
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