Market Trends of Europe Warehouse Automation Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Europe Warehouse Automation Market according to our research experts:
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are Gaining Popularity Throughout Europe
- Two European warehouse automation developments include using autonomous robots capable of transferring filled shelves and updating forklifts to help automation during busy periods. To transfer and take over activities traditionally handled by mobile robots, conveyors, manual forklifts, carts, and towing devices can all be used. Other applications include packing, transportation, and sorting.
- Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in logistical applications across Europe are displacing automatic guided vehicles (AGVs). AMRs, unlike AGVs, have more advanced onboard computers linked to inertial measuring units (IMU), laser scanning range finders, 2D and 3D color cameras, and motor controllers. AMR also opens up new possibilities for inventory management. These devices may now execute inventory sweeps autonomously at warehouse-determined schedules when paired with RFID-tagged products and equipment.
- For instance, the United Kingdom-based Iconsys expanded into autonomous mobile solutions with the launch of its iAM-R (Iconsys Autonomous Mobile Robot). It is designed to provide autonomous robotic solutions to the company's customers.
- In May 2022, Locus Robotics, a 2022 IFOY nominee and leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfillment warehouses, announced the expansion of its warehouse AMR line. These new form factors join the Locus Origin robot to form a comprehensive family of AMRs that handle the full range of product movement needs in today's fulfillment and distribution facilities, from e-commerce, case-picking, and pallet-picking to scenarios needing larger, heavier payloads.
- In June 2022, At LogiMAT in Stuttgart, ek robotics, the leading manufacturer and integrator of high-tech automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for production and warehouse logistics, announced a global technology partnership with OTTO Motors, the world's leading developer of flexible and intelligent autonomous mobile robots (AMR). Customers in the manufacturing and warehousing industries worldwide will benefit from the combination of AGV hardware and AMR software offered by the two firms.
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High Adoption of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) in Automotive Sector
- Many well-known vehicle brands are based in Europe, including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Aston Martin, Bentley, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and others. Numerous vehicle production facilities in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom rely heavily on AS/RS systems to stay competitive. Exmac Automation, situated in the United Kingdom, provides storage solutions for Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar, and IBC vehicles.
- For instance, Industore, a major AS/RS solution provider in the UK, has a wide range of products utilized in warehouses and small and large storage units. ExMac Automation, another key player in AS/RS, provides automated storage and retrieval crane systems (ranging from high-capacity mini-load cranes and racking to high-bay warehouse cranes) to various industries across the country.
- The European Commission supports worldwide technical harmonization and offers to fund R&D to help the automotive industry maintain its competitiveness and technological leadership. Furthermore, according to ACEA research, 569 automobiles per 1,000 people in the European Union. Luxembourg has the highest car density in the EU (694 cars per 1,000 people), while Latvia has the lowest. According to the OICA, total European passenger car sales reached 14.16 million in 2020.
- The demand-driven nature of the UK automotive supply chain (including increasing levels of customization within a car) is compelling OEM suppliers to choose warehouse automation with greater flexibility. The increasing adoption of AS/RS systems and automation in the automotive manufacturing process and the advent of digitization and AI are some of the primary factors driving the demand for digitalization in the automotive sector of the Netherlands.
- Moreover, Germany is one of the world's largest users of automated material handling systems. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), Germany has the highest robot density (294 units per 10,000 workers), behind South Korea and Japan. These factors will increase the demand for warehouse automation throughout Europe.
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