As robots are increasingly equipped with human-like cognitive abilities, dexterity, adaptability, and reasoning, their forms and behaviors are becoming more human-like as well. The tasks assigned to robots are also evolving—moving from early-stage human-robot collaboration to fully autonomous operations in the future, where they can independently execute complex workflows without human intervention.
Across warehouses worldwide, autonomous robots are already working alongside humans to significantly boost delivery efficiency—and the demand for faster fulfillment is only growing. Especially as many retailers promise two-day delivery, the ability to automate processes such as locating, picking, and packing goods has become a critical factor for success. Initially, workers had to roam the warehouse with barcode scanners to locate items one by one and manually bring them to the shipping area for packing.
To accelerate this process, major retailers have introduced robots that can move entire shelves to human pickers. As robots become smarter and more agile, picking operations are becoming further automated—robots can now pick items directly from shelves and place them on conveyor belts for shipping.
But the next phase of logistics evolution will require a fundamental shift in how warehouse robots operate. Until now, most systems have separated humans and robots into different workspaces. In the future, robots will be "uncaged" and work freely alongside people in open environments. This transformation demands higher standards for robot safety, intelligence, compactness, and autonomy.
Giving robots human-like capabilities also reshapes their role—from collaborative assistants to fully automated performers. This impending transformation in warehousing will have profound implications for connectivity, building automation, power systems, and electrification.
Making Mobile Robots Safer and Smarter
As robots take on increasingly complex tasks in warehouses, we must ensure they operate both efficiently and safely—especially in achieving critical goals like faster delivery.
To strike this balance, robots need to be equipped with advanced sensors, integrated safety systems, and enhanced connectivity to better mimic human perception and decision-making:
· Visual Perception: Robots must be fitted with LiDAR, cameras, or infrared sensors to sense their surroundings.
· Reasoning Capabilities: Powerful computing platforms—such as GPUs and NPUs—are required to run advanced AI and machine learning algorithms.
· Network Connectivity: Ethernet, RJ45, edge computing, or cloud systems are essential for seamless communication and coordination with other systems.
· Motion Control: Timers, encoders, and torque sensors ensure safe operation within defined areas and enable immediate shutdown in case of irregularities.
· Power Management: Efficient connectors and smart docking systems allow robots to charge autonomously and maintain continuous operation.
· Agile Movement: High-performance motors and precision drive systems help robots move freely and accurately within complex warehouse environments.
Robots must perform reliably and safely under all conditions—whether in harsh environments or around the clock. This requires not only high performance but also durable sensing and connectivity components. In the future, cloud-enabled self-diagnostics and predictive maintenance will help warehouses reduce downtime and manage operational costs more effectively.
Charging Systems: A Critical Component
To maximize mobility, robots need to be free from cables. Battery-powered autonomous robots must be able to recharge themselves regularly to maintain peak productivity. This is not just a matter of charging speed—it also requires accurate and safe connection without human intervention.
Robots vary in size and shape depending on the tasks they perform—some carry entire pallets, while others need to sort small individual items. These differences create diverse requirements for charging interfaces. Ideally, charging stations should be equipped with highly reliable, environmentally resistant connectors and filtering systems to ensure stable current supply. All components involved in charging must be durable enough to withstand hundreds of thousands of automatic connections and disconnections without performance degradation.
Smaller Components Enable Greater Flexibility
In engineering design, size versus performance is always a trade-off. Different tasks have varying power and space demands. For instance, in large distribution centers where only full pallets are handled, large, heavy-duty robots are ideal. But in environments where robots must pick individual medications or toothbrushes, compact and nimble robots are a must.
With warehouse space becoming increasingly constrained, demand is growing for smaller robots that deliver higher performance. This trend is driving component manufacturers to develop more refined, specialized products that help customers meet performance goals in limited spaces. Engineering expertise and advanced manufacturing capabilities are becoming more crucial than ever.
Preparing for a Flexible Future
As robot movements become more precise, they’ll be able to take on tasks traditionally performed by humans. For example, in current warehouses, a box of toothbrushes may contain 20 units, but a customer may only order one—currently requiring human workers to pick it out. In the future, robots will be able to accurately identify and select that single item. Similarly, handling fragile or perishable goods will demand even more precise control of pressure and torque to ensure items like fruits and vegetables remain undamaged.
The ability to safely and efficiently navigate tight spaces while performing complex tasks will be a defining trait of next-generation warehouse robots. Advancements in enabling technologies—from electrification and automation to sensing and mobility—will not only accelerate robotics adoption in logistics but also open new opportunities in industries like healthcare and manufacturing.
The pace of robotics innovation in warehousing is accelerating. And as this trend continues, the demand for critical components driving electrification, automation, sensing, and mobility will rise sharply.
——Source: https://www.eet-china.com/