Supply Chain AI Mobile Robots Ready for Business: Gartner

Several mobile robotics technologies for supply chains are expected to mature within the next two-to-five years, paving the way for an accelerated market for AI-powered mobile robots and drones, according to Gartner’s latest hype cycle report for the sector. 

The technology research and consulting firm is predicting a boon for technologies such as autonomous mobile robots for transport, collaborative in-aisle picking robots and mobile robotic goods-to-person systems. 

These technologies have passed the so-called Trough of Disillusionment, where interest wanes as experiments and implementations fail to deliver, and are progressing on to the Slope of Enlightenment, which is when technology that can benefit the enterprise starts to crystallize and become more widely understood. 

The insights were shared in Gartner’s latest Hype Cycle for Mobile Robots and Drones, which is a graphical depiction of a common pattern that arises with each new technology or other innovation through five phases of maturity and adoption. 

Chief supply chain officers can use this research to find robotic solutions that meet their needs, Gartner said. 

“As organizations look to further improve logistic operations, support automation and augment humans in various jobs, supply chain leaders have turned to mobile robots to support their strategy,” said Dwight Klappich, vice president analyst and Gartner fellow.

Related:Humanoid Robot Goes Full Autonomy; Boston Dynamics Video

“Mobile robots are continuing to evolve, becoming more powerful and practical, thus paving the way for continued technology innovation.”

Also on the rise this year are automation and AI products, such as autonomous data collection and inspection technologies. These include indoor flying drones and mobile robots that autonomously capture data. They harness technologies such as AI-enabled vision or RFID to supplement time-consuming inventory management, inspection and surveillance tasks.

These applications are approaching the so-called Peak of Inflated Expectations. This is when early publicity produces several success stories that are often accompanied by scores of failures. Gartner expects them to deliver benefits over the next five to 10 years. 

Notably, for the first time, humanoid robots have entered the Innovation Trigger on the Hype Cycle. This is where a potential technological breakthrough kicks off but where there are often no usable products that exist and commercial viability is unproven.

Humanoid robots are expected to have a transformational impact on supply chains, by exploiting the human form factor and AI to flexibly support the needs of businesses by dynamically moving between processes and taking on new activities without special programming.

Related:Humanoid Robot Tackles Warehouse Tasks in New Video

“For supply chains with high-volume and predictable processes, humanoid robots have the potential to enhance or supplement the supply chain workforce,” Klappich said. 

“However, while the pace of innovation is encouraging, the industry is years away from general-purpose humanoid robots being used in more complex retail and industrial environments.”

Mainstream adoption may take 10 years or more, the report said.