Andrei Danescu, CEO and Co-Founder of Dexory
Recent developments in robotics technology have transformed the global supply chain and logistics industry, with today’s machines becoming increasingly intuitive, advanced, and autonomous. According to a McKinsey study, companies implementing advanced technologies can reduce operational costs by 25% while increasing efficiency by up to 30%. Driven by these strengths, it is expected that nearly three-quarters of companies will adopt some form of robotics warehouse automation by 2027.
The impact of robotics extends far beyond logistics, with nearly every sector reaping the benefits of smarter, more autonomous technology. With robotics constantly advancing, two pressing questions emerge: what lies ahead, and which key applications of robotics will continue to drive innovation across modern industries?
The path forward for robotics innovation
One significant trend is the rise of autonomous systems increasingly used in manufacturing, logistics and service industries. These systems leverage advancements in AI and sensor technologies to operate without direct human intervention. Autonomous robots are able to optimise processes while reducing errors and improving efficiency.
For example, manufacturing autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are being used to handle tasks from transporting materials to product assembly. This is a major change from traditional industrial robots, which have often been stationary and follow pre-programmed instructions. Modern AMRs can navigate dynamic environments using sensors and real-time data allowing them to better work alongside human workers, respond to changes in their environment and adapt to new tasks.
In the warehousing and logistics sector AMRs are being used to streamline inventory management and gather real-time data from the warehouse for better optimisation. With the continued growth of e-commerce, challenges with shipping allocations and capacity, businesses need more accuracy of their inventory to ensure they remain competitive. When looking at these challenges, coupled with shortages in the workforce, the demand for autonomous robots in the logistics industry is expected to surge.
Working side by side with robots
One key trend we have observed in recent years is the advent of robots working safely together with humans. This shift has allowed businesses to improve productivity, while reducing physical strain on employees and improving overall site safety.
Thanks to the advances made in sensor technologies, cameras and AI, modern AMRs are able to understand their surroundings and work in harmony with human counterparts while robots can also be used to carry out tasks which pose risks to human health.
One of the major benefits of AMRs today is their flexibility. Traditional industrial robots required space, complex programming and dedicated workspaces, yet AMRs are relatively easy to deploy and can be programmed by non-technical experts. This broadens the appeal of the technology from large enterprises to SMEs that may not have traditionally had the resource to invest in large scale automation systems. These advances are democratising automation and allow businesses of all sizes to reap the benefits of robotics.
We can expect to see even more sophisticated forms of human-robot collaboration in the coming years as more businesses have access to the technology and start to see the benefits of this technology .
AI as a collaborative force
The integration of AI with robotics is one of the most exciting developments of recent years. This shift has allowed robots to transition from reactive machines to predictive and intelligent systems. AI enables robots to learn from their environments, make decisions and adapt to new situations without human intervention. This shift is driving innovation in a wide range of applications.
AI advancements will make robots more autonomous, intelligent and adaptable to different environments. This will expand the scope of robotics across industries, driving innovation in areas like manufacturing and logistics, while lending to innovations that will help robotics gain a foothold in handling highly personalised tasks. Additionally, where robots and AI come together is in feeding data to analytics platforms. Here, AI technologies can be used for things such as optimising warehouse layouts, the best picking routes and ensuring goods are not lost in the warehouse.
Future-proofing supply chain challenges with robots
As robotics continues to advance, they are poised to further revolutionise the global supply chain, streamlining operations and easing the burden on businesses that rely heavily on the supply chain. The driving force will be the integration of AI-enhanced solutions and sustainable designs, to truly fit the demands of the companies across multiple industries.
These breakthroughs aren’t just upgrades, they’re game changers. In the next few years, robotics will become smarter, more flexible, and better equipped to future-proof industries affected by supply chain disruptions. Designed to tackle these delays head-on, the technology will free human workers to focus on higher-level strategic challenges.
The result? A supply chain that’s not just efficient, but agile and adaptive. Those that don’t embrace these technologies won’t just fall behind – they’ll be left vulnerable to the very disruptions others are solving.
