Robotics and the Future of Logistics Robots

Overview:

This Information guide explores the evolution of Robotics and the Future of Logistics Robots, with focus on the increasing relevance, growth, and application of robotics in the logistics sector. It presents key statistics reflecting the projected growth, market share, and efficiency introduced by robotics in logistics. The guide also introduces the innovative software solutions by 3Laws, a company at the forefront of enhancing safety and reliability for robotic systems. These solutions address major challenges faced by the robotics industry and have shown result in diverse applications, making 3Laws a significant game-changer.

Evolving Relevance of Robotics in Logistics:

Today, with the increasing demand for efficiency in transportation and deliveries, robotics has become an indispensable part of the logistics sector. Considered the backbone of business, logistics industries are working around the clock to keep up with consumer demands. Here, automation is no longer a luxury, instead a necessity. A study by ABI Research suggests that more than 4 million commercial robots will be installed in over 50,000 warehouses globally by 2025. This expected surge can be attributed to advancements in AI, machine learning, and Computer Vision, all of which are disrupting traditional logistics and transitioning the industry from manual to automation and robotics.

Market Growth and Share of Robotics in Logistics:

As per report by Tractica, annual revenue from sales of warehousing and logistics robots is expected to hit $22.4 billion by the year 2021. The exponential growth is a clear indication of the world's growing reliance on automation for managing complex supply chains. According to Robo Global, the logistics automation sector represents around 22% of the total robotics market, the highest percentage of any sector. This impressive share in the robotics market can be attributed to the fact that robotics has brought about significant reductions in operational costs and boosted efficiency in the logistics sector.

Efficiency Introduced by Robotics in Logistics:

Robotics in logistics has greatly enhanced efficiency, which is crucial in an industry that operates on tight schedules and even tighter margins. They streamline processes, reduce errors and boost productivity. For instance, autonomous forklifts, powered by advanced safety software, help achieve a reported efficiency gain of 40%. Technology from companies like 3Laws have made these tasks safer and more reliable, with their offerings resulting in a 6-month payback period, reflecting the significant cost-effectiveness of such solutions.

Key Takeaways:

• Robotics is becoming increasingly indispensable in the logistics sector with over 4 million commercial robots projected to be installed globally by 2025.

• Market revenue from warehousing and logistics robots is projected to reach $22.4 billion by 2021.

• The Logistics automation sector represents around 22% of the total robotics market, making it the sector with the highest robotic application.

• Robotics application in logistics, such as autonomous forklifts, can achieve an efficiency gain of 40%.

Introducing 3Laws Robotics:

3Laws Robotics is redefining the safety standards in robotics operation in the logistics sector. Their work focuses on one of the most challenging aspects for robotics companies: certification. 3Laws is developing innovative software, 3Laws Supervisor, built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), a technology developed at Caltech that offers mathematically provable safety.

The software offers safety features and evidence of system robustness, thereby potentially simplifying the certification process. It is adaptable to a wide range of platforms, including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators, and is also compatible with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2.

3Laws has shown impressive results in various use cases. In warehouse automation, 3Laws helped an autonomous forklift customer achieve a 40% efficiency gain, resulting in a 6-month payback period. The software also enables safe and uninterrupted operation of robots near humans, and its reactive collision avoidance capabilities allow robots to effectively navigate unpredictable environments. All this while reducing downtime caused by unnecessary e-stops or collisions.

As a next-generation safety solution, 3Laws goes beyond traditional e-stop methods by offering a proactive approach to safety that can unlock the full potential of robotics with dynamic, predictive safety that can be safety certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.