Automated mobile robots (AMRs) need physical safety infrastructure

The explainer frames workplace safety as a design problem that grows more complex as warehouses add automation. It notes that automated mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and robotic picking tools can handle repetitive and time-consuming tasks with less manual handling, but that their introduction changes how equipment and people move through the same space. The piece stresses that cameras, sensors and collision-detection systems help machines spot obstacles, yet they do not eliminate every hazard. As a result, it argues for a combined approach: physical protection measures working alongside intelligent technology.

It points to trailing cables, spilled liquids, loose packaging and misplaced pallets as common obstructions that can disrupt automated vehicles and create slip or trip hazards, and it calls for routine housekeeping and prompt removal of obstructions. Clear floor marking — warning lines, different colours and directional arrows — is presented as a way to separate vehicle lanes from walking routes and loading zones from restricted areas, reducing conflict between moving equipment and pedestrians.

Finally, the piece addresses flooring and maintenance. It says warehouse floors must withstand constant pressure without becoming uneven, and that slip-resistant finishes are crucial in areas where moisture, dust or spilled material may accumulate. Regular inspection is recommended to catch worn sections and cracks before they become hazards for automated machinery or employees. The overall message is that safety infrastructure should evolve alongside automation, combining regular assessments, clear routes, suitable flooring and impact protection.