AMRs in 2025: The Fastest-Growing Automation Frontier on Track for US$9.7 Billion by 2029

Autonomous Mobile Robots have emerged as a critical technology pillar in the transformation of industrial and logistics infrastructure. Organisations across manufacturing, supply chain, healthcare, and defence are accelerating investments in mobile robotic systems to deliver efficiency, resilience, and intelligent automation inside facilities where manual handling workflows cannot keep pace with demand. AMRs automate internal transport, material movement, and inventory operations while navigating dynamic environments independently through onboard sensors, real-time mapping, and artificial intelligence-driven navigation control. 

The global Autonomous Mobile Robot market was valued at US$2.53 billion in 2021, the designated base year. Supported by rising automation readiness, warehouse modernisation, and e-commerce expansion, the market is expected to reach US$3.09 billion in 2022. The long-term growth outlook is strong, with the market projected to reach US$9.74 billion by 2029, representing a CAGR of 15.4% from 2022 to 2029. The industry’s trajectory reflects the transition toward digital-first industrial value chains, where scalable robotics enhances operational reliability and reduces dependency on manual labour. 

Global autonomous mobile robots market, 2018–2029

  More enterprises across critical industries now view AMRs not only as automation assets but as strategic enablers of competitive advantage. AMRs improve material flow, reduce operational downtime, enhance accuracy, and support continuous operations under varied labour conditions. They also contribute to safer work environments by reducing exposure to high-risk zones and minimising physical strain. These business outcomes contribute to accelerating deployment and long-term market sustainability.  This report offers an in-depth overview of key insights from the broader AMR market study, highlighting key financial indicators, technology trends, and adoption insights. The full report includes multi-year forecasting models, in-depth regional performance analysis, segment-level breakdowns, and competitive benchmarking. For access to the complete report and underlying datasets, please get in touch with AgileIntel.

Battery Technology Adoption Overview 

Battery performance directly impacts AMR endurance, charge cycles, scalability, and suitability for different deployment environments. Battery selection shapes fleet management potential, runtime optimisation, and facility-level return on investment. 

Global autonomous mobile robot market by battery type 2021

In 2021, lead batteries accounted for more than 51% of the global AMR market revenue, making them the most widely deployed power source for AMRs in industrial environments. Their affordability, stable voltage output, reversibility, and proven reliability in harsh industrial applications make them a suitable choice for high-volume operational deployment. For example, the Kuka KMR QUANTEC AMR system integrates lead battery power, supporting facility-wide mobility via industrial wireless LAN networks, and provides flexible operation without requiring structural modifications. 

The lithium-ion battery segment is anticipated to demonstrate strong growth through 2029 as industrial buyers prioritise runtime efficiency and higher energy density. While offering a higher initial cost, Li-ion batteries deliver performance benefits, including longer lifecycle operation, a wider temperature tolerance range, and reduced maintenance requirements. Advanced AMRs, manufactured by ABB and Boston Dynamics, utilise Li-ion battery systems to support demanding use cases where endurance and performance are crucial to application viability. As automation matures, fleet decisions are expected to favour Li-ion configurations for long-duration mission profiles increasingly.  

Robotic System Categories and Market Performance 

AMRs encompass a range of autonomous robotic platforms engineered for task specialisation. These include goods-to-person picking robots, self-driving forklifts, autonomous inventory monitoring robots, and uncrewed aerial vehicles. 

The goods-to-person picking segment accounted for more than 50% of the global AMR revenue in 2021, making it the most significant contributor to the market. Goods-to-person robots streamline fulfilment workflows by transporting products directly to workstation operators, eliminating distance and time lost through manual walking. As global distribution networks face intense throughput and delivery time requirements, these systems are now central to warehouse reconfiguration strategies supporting omnichannel inventory movement. 

Global autonomous mobile robot market by robot type, 2021

The autonomous inventory robot segment is experiencing increased demand as supply chain leaders adopt real-time digital visibility systems. AMRs equipped with RFID capabilities automate stock verification and reconciliation, reducing labour-intensive audit cycles and minimising discrepancy-driven disruptions. Inventory robots are poised to play a crucial role as logistics transitions to predictive and data-driven operating models. 

The unmanned aerial vehicle segment is expected to expand significantly, supported by defence and commercial deployment priorities. Applications ranging from border monitoring to aerial delivery highlight its scalability for high-value and time-sensitive missions. In March 2021, the Indian Armed Forces acquired approximately 30 Sea Guardian UAV systems to strengthen their defence surveillance capacity. In addition, commercial UAV deployment is advancing, evidenced by Amazon’s approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in August 2020 to launch Prime Air drone delivery, alongside active development by UPS in autonomous delivery aviation. These developments reflect the broadening domain applicability of AMR technology beyond traditional ground robotics. 

Industry Deployment Landscape by End-user 

The manufacturing sector accounted for more than 77% of the global AMR market in 2021, ranking as the most significant deployment industry segment. Manufacturing leaders in the automotive, aerospace, defence, electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, and plastics industries rely on AMRs to automate component transport, material staging, assembly support, finishing operations, and motion-intensive processes. AMRs help move complex and heavy components such as fuselages, wings, and engine pods safely across production areas. Adoption reduces reliance on manual transport equipment, such as forklifts, minimising accident risk and enabling precise operational flow. 

In parallel, the wholesale and distribution sector is experiencing rapid adoption of AMRs due to the expansion of e-commerce fulfilment centres and high-volume order processing. AMRs support performance improvements by automating tasks such as picking, sorting, and transportation inside distribution facilities. As order profiles become more complex and delivery timeframes become increasingly compressed, logistics operators view robotic mobility as a foundational requirement for future capacity planning. 

Regional Market Leadership Snapshot 

Among all global regions, Europe led the AMR market, accounting for a 31% revenue share in 2021. Europe’s position reflects a high level of maturity in industrial automation, a strong robotics export capability, and the presence of leading AMR and broader robotics technology companies. Ongoing digital transformation and government support for innovative manufacturing initiatives continue to reinforce regional growth. 

Global autonomous mobile robot market by region, 2021

As supporting context, the United States market was valued at US$351 million in 2021, driven by vigorous R&D activity and defence investments, while China exceeded US$238 million in 2021, supported by the expansion of e-commerce logistics and the growth of the automotive manufacturing ecosystem. Expanded regional forecasting and comparative segmentation appear in the comprehensive edition of the AgileIntel market report. 

Market Growth Drivers and Opportunity Outlook 

Multiple structural forces are driving the expansion of the AMR market. Key growth drivers include: 

• Increased need for automation to address productivity constraints, throughput limitations, and workforce shortages 
  

• E-commerce growth and the shift toward direct-to-door delivery models that require high operational agility 
  

• Integration of artificial intelligence to enhance navigation, precision, and autonomous decision-making 
  

• Workplace safety mandates that encourage replacing labour-intensive material movement with automated systems 
  

As post-pandemic industries pursue safer environments, AMRs have seen accelerated adoption. COVID-19 initially caused operational disruptions due to shutdowns and restricted movement. Organisations later turned to AMRs to maintain continuity during reduced workforce availability and to support social distancing inside manufacturing and distribution environments. AMRs also played a role in delivering medical supplies, sanitising facilities, and enabling remote asset handling. These applications are expected to remain strategically relevant over the next decade. 

Opportunity expansion aligns with the convergence of capabilities across multiple industries. Large-scale transformation is expected to evolve from basic automation toward intelligent robotics ecosystems where fleets communicate with warehouse execution systems, inventory platforms, and predictive analytics engines for continuous optimisation. 

Industry Challenges 

Despite robust growth prospects, AMR deployment faces complexity. AMRs are generally designed for specific application environments and cannot be replaced by one another across unrelated use cases. Robots engineered for healthcare workflows cannot be transferred directly into warehouse logistics without redesign. These specialisation constraints limit flexible redeployment and streamline scalability, increasing the total cost of ownership when organisations operate across multiple sectors. Overcoming this constraint will require modular platform architecture and application-agnostic navigation intelligence in future development cycles. 

Competitive Landscape and Strategic Positioning 

The global AMR competitive landscape includes a blend of established industrial robotics companies, specialised AMR innovators, and solution providers with deep capabilities in mobile navigation and warehouse automation. Key companies identified include Teradyne Inc., Kuka AG, InVia Robotics, iRobotics, Harvest Automation, GreyOrange, Clearpath Robotics Inc., Boston Dynamics, Bleum, ABB, and UVD Robots. 

Several players, such as Kuka AG and ABB, operate in advanced industrial automation, offering integrated robotics portfolios suited for large manufacturing environments. Boston Dynamics and Clearpath Robotics Inc. focus on high-mobility platforms equipped for mission-critical and rugged applications where advanced perception and navigation algorithm performance are essential. Companies such as Invia Robotics, Iam Robotics, Harvest Automation, Greyorange, and Bleum are well-positioned in warehouse logistics automation, supporting goods handling, workflow orchestration, and throughput optimisation. UVD Robots delivers solutions for sanitation-focused applications that have become especially relevant during pandemic periods. 

Competition is increasingly driven by software intelligence, fleet orchestration, real-time location visibility, and robotic autonomy. Companies that enable interoperability, rapid scale-up, and modular fleet expansion are expected to gain a strategic advantage. Future differentiation will hinge on system intelligence more than hardware form factors, positioning AMRs as core infrastructure in data-enabled industrial environments. 

Conclusion: What Lies Ahead for the AMR Market 

The Autonomous Mobile Robot market is positioned for substantial long-term growth. The market is forecast to expand from US$2.53 billion in 2021 to US$3.09 billion in 2022, reaching US$9.74 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 15.4%. The accelerating need for automation across manufacturing and logistics environments, rising adoption of AI-powered navigation, and post-pandemic shifts toward contactless and resilient operations are expected to sustain growth momentum through the decade. 

AMRs are evolving as foundational components of innovative industrial ecosystems, enabling productivity, efficiency, safety, and operational flexibility. Their value is increasingly measured not solely by cost reduction but by capability expansion and strategic impact. 

For full access to the detailed report, including multi-year forecasts, regional segmentation, comprehensive competitive benchmarking, and in-depth market modelling, please get in touch with AgileIntel.