Review of autonomous mobile robots in intralogistics: state-of-the-art, limitations and research gaps

Abstract

Mobile robots, particularly autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), play a transformative role in Intralogistics 4.0, enabling automated material transport and handling tasks. The increasing changeability of plant layouts and the dynamic manufacturing environment are critical drivers for their use. While automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are centrally controlled and rely on supporting infrastructure, AMRs can navigate without such guidance, thanks to their onboard sensors. Many studies have delved into the reasons and effects of using AMRs in intralogistics, underscoring their potential to optimise processes and enhance efficiency. This study aims to review existing literature on AMRs in intralogistics, unearthing the latest advancements and existing limitations. As a result, this review identifies five main research subjects: complexity of the environment, safety, resource scheduling and power consumption, artificial intelligence algorithms and interoperability . The study concludes by summarising these fields and emphasising the existing limitations and research gaps for further innovations in this area.