Source: ON By Theo Kersjes, Systems Engineering Manager
    Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are complex systems that have much in common with autonomous vehicles - they require perception, motor drive, power conversion, lighting, and battery management. Perhaps the biggest challenge is to integrate these subsystems into one final product - a challenge made more difficult by the need to integrate different subsystems from different vendors.
    This article will explore the complex world of AMR and consider choosing one solution provider to take care of all key aspects of AMR's design - benefits that include reduced design/integration risk and reduced time to market.
    Whereas an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) operates primarily indoors and follows a pre-determined route (often using lines on the ground as guidance), an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) is much more complex, able to navigate both indoors and outdoors freely without having to follow a pre-defined route. In this respect, they are similar to autonomous vehicles in that they must recognize and avoid obstacles in their path, whether stationary or moving.
    At the heart of almost all AMRs are five main subsystems that manage power, motion, perception, processing, and lighting. Each subsystem is inherently complex, often challenging to design, and fundamental to the successful operation of AMR. However, integration is often the biggest challenge - especially when purchasing subsystems or major components from different suppliers.