Warehouse Automation and Robotics Trends for 2025

Warehouses are in a tough spot. Rents are soaring, and unplanned downtime from equipment like forklifts costs the industry over $50 billion annually. So it's no wonder 52% of warehouse managers are looking to automation and robotics for solutions. In fact, the warehouse automation industry is set to grow 150% in 2025 alone. If you're one of those managers wondering what the future has in store for warehouse robotics, we've got your answers. Read on to learn the top four automation and robotics trends you're likely to see in 2025.

Rapid Scalability

2025 promises growth throughout the automation and robotics sector, but the most immediate effect that warehouses are likely to see is improved scalability during busy seasons. Historically, shifts in demand have required warehouses and other facilities to either maintain an oversized staff year-round or search for sufficient seasonal hires during periods of peak demand. However, automation and robotics are likely to reduce this need in 2025.

Autonomous Mobile Robots

Technologies such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are already advancing. Amazon, for example, has deployed 750,000 AGVs across its facilities. Smaller operations are also likely to adopt this solution, as AMRs allow additional units to deploy during peak demand and be recalled during slower periods, ensuring the active fleet is always right-sized for operational needs.

This workforce support will be welcome for most industries, as labor shortages impact 76% of supply chain operations. Worse, as of October 2024, there were 8 million job openings in the U.S. and only 6.8 million unemployed Americans. These trends make seasonal hires especially problematic, suggesting more automation will come online to fill the scalability gap.

Human-Robot Collaboration 

Not long ago, the dream of fully automated warehouses dominated the discussion around warehouse automation. However, that vision has eroded, with the majority of companies now focusing on collaborative robots (cobots). Instead of entirely replacing human workers, these machines work alongside your human workforce to elevate productivity, reduce physical strain, and remove time-consuming, tedious tasks.

Collaborative Robots

One example of this is the increased focus on warehouse picking robots. These varied technologies help human pickers by eliminating wasted time searching through inventory. They don’t remove the need for human workers to recover the item and pack it, but they improve picking speed and dramatically reduce picking errors.

This focus on collaborative robotics is likely to accelerate in 2025 as more and more companies look to balance their advancements in automation with their human workforce. In fact, research predicts that this advancement in cobots will improve productivity by up to 30%.

Increased Focus On Sustainability

Sustainability will continue to be a growing consideration for both consumers and companies going into 2025. As such, it will affect the development and adoption of automation strategies as companies seek to create technologies that are more efficient with resources and less wasteful of energy. These technologies will help companies cut costs while also meeting their sustainability goals.

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems

Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRSs) are one such technology. These reduce waste on several levels. First, they make better use of your existing warehouse space. ASRSs can save up to 85% of storage space. This means you can do more with less, allowing you to maintain a smaller footprint, which in turn reduces climate control and lighting costs. Likewise, many of these systems reduce the need for motorized order pickers or forklifts, thereby decreasing fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Because of these reductions in waste and improved productivity, technologies like ASRSs will likely see a boost in 2025.

Improvements to Worker Well-Being

This year is likely to see more innovation in automated warehouse system. Much of warehouse robotics focuses on picking, storage, and transportation. However, as the technology continues to improve exponentially, automation and robotics will likely tackle more complex tasks, such as restocking and inventory management. 2025 may even see robots employed in more adroit tasks that historically required human dexterity to accomplish.

This expansion will have the greatest impact on the well-being of the human workforce. As collaboration between human input and technology deepens, human workers will not only see efficiency improvements, but they will also experience less fatigue and reduced rates of injury. The data is hard to argue with. Already, AMRs save the industry as much as $1.69 billion annually in injury costs. Likewise, 85% of workers feel that automation facilitates better team collaboration, and 90% trust automation to enable better decision-making. All these factors contribute to happier, healthier teams that experience less injury and less burnout.

Your Automated Warehouse Partner

As the landscape of warehouse automation continues to evolve, we’ve got you covered. Our Solutions Team follows these trends closely to ensure you always have access to the most relevant advancements for your facility’s needs. Let us help you transform your warehouse. Contact us online or visit one of our locations throughout Georgia and Florida to schedule an on-site consultation and learn how warehouse robotics can elevate your operation.

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