Why an AMR Battery is a Necessity for Autonomous Mobile Robots and AGVs
Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and automated guided vehicles (AGV) are enabling logistics operations to work faster and smarter. They are also empowering warehouse workers to take ownership of their job responsibilities.
When it comes to pairing up AGVs and AMRs, the battery is a critical component that can make a huge impact on their functionality. Lithium-ion batteries offer faster charging, lower maintenance requirements and higher energy density than lead-acid batteries.
Reduced charging time
Batteries provide the energy that allows autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to operate. These autonomous machines are used to transport and sort components, manipulate goods and perform a variety of other tasks in production and logistics.
Autonomous robotic systems need a steady source of power to function, so battery technology needs to be reliable and durable. A lithium ion battery provides an ideal solution for this need, as it can be fully charged in one to two hours.
Lithium ion batteries also offer many benefits over traditional lead-acid batteries. Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries are not water-sensitive and can be kept in partial states of charge without damaging the battery. This reduces maintenance costs and downtime, which helps to keep a warehouse’s operation running smoothly.
Moreover, batteries can be quickly recharged with the use of a quick charge battery charger. This eliminates the need for multiple charging stations in a warehouse, saving space and ensuring that AMRs and AGVs can be run at full capacity throughout the day.
The ability to charge at a faster rate is one of the biggest advantages of AMR and AGV battery technology, as it increases the operating rates of these devices by reducing the amount of time required for them to be fully charged. This increases the productivity of these robots, which saves warehouses money and labor costs by eliminating the need for human operators to monitor AMRs and AGVs for charging purposes.
Charging protocols are algorithms that define the way in which a battery is charged. Different protocols have different implementation costs and corresponding implications on charging time and cell degradation.
To ensure that an AMR battery is fast and efficient, manufacturers must test various charging protocols to find the best fit for their particular use case. Unfortunately, these tests are resource intensive and can be expensive.
For this reason, battery engineers often turn to virtual testing with tools such as GT-AutoLion and GT-SUITE. By combining these software tools with experimental tests, battery designers can AMR Battery determine the optimal charging protocol for a particular battery.
Less AMRs
AMRs and AGVs are gaining popularity in warehouses and distribution centers due to labor shortages, and they require a robust battery solution for high utilization rates and improved downtime. Pairing these systems with lithium-ion batteries offers a number of advantages that help logistics facilities operate at their best, including faster charging, lower maintenance, higher energy density, and longer-lasting charges.
AMR and AGV batteries are available in a variety of sizes, but the most important thing to know is that these devices can only work well if they have a reliable power source. If an AMR or AGV battery fails, it can be extremely inconvenient for warehouse staff. In addition, the failure of an AMR or AGV battery can result in delays in shipments, as these robots often function without human operator intervention.
While most utilities prefer lead acid batteries for these devices, lithium ion alternatives can also be used to provide the same level of support. A lithium ion battery can charge much more quickly than an equivalent lead acid battery and can last up to three AMR Battery times as long, which is especially useful for operations that want to keep their robots in service 24 hours a day.
Lithium ion batteries are also more durable than their lead-acid counterparts, so fewer replacements are necessary to avoid a significant amount of downtime for your team. This is a big win for warehouses and distributors, as they will save money in the long run by cutting down on their replacement costs.
Another big benefit of the RELiON lithium phosphate battery is that it can be charged in as little as one hour, making it more efficient and convenient for operations. This is a huge time savings, as it can eliminate the need to stop AGVs or AMRs to recharge them, a major productivity killer for logistics teams.
Overall, the RELiON lithium phosphate batteries are an excellent choice for AMRs and AGVs. They are the best option for maximizing your robotics equipment’s productivity and efficiency, and can be used to help warehouses and distribution centers improve their overall bottom line.
High operating rate
In order for a robot to work efficiently, it needs a battery that can provide consistent power. This is especially important when it comes to AMRs that operate without human input, as it means that they must be able to keep running at peak performance throughout the day.
As a result, logistics and warehouse facilities need to find a reliable battery solution that can meet their specific needs. This is where lithium-ion batteries come in. They can offer several benefits over lead acid batteries, including faster charging, lower maintenance, and higher energy density, all of which can help operations maximize output and productivity.
RELiON’s lithium phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries can be charged in as little as one hour, which is much quicker than other options on the market. The fast-charging capability of a lithium battery also means that robots don’t have to wait around for a charging station, which can cause idle time and decrease efficiency.
Another reason that a lithium battery is ideal for AMRs and AGVs is that it can offer significantly longer life than lead-acid batteries. These batteries can typically be expected to last for about 3,500 cycles, depending on use, which will help operations save money by avoiding the need for costly replacements.
Finally, a high operating rate can increase the number of AMRs that can be run in a facility at any given time, while also minimizing the charge standby space required to store them. This can be particularly useful for warehouses that have limited space and need to use all the available space they can.
For example, let’s say that you need to run 100 AMRs at any given time. If they all run at the same time, you would need 103 batteries, and that’s not even taking into account charging times.
Alternatively, an AMR battery can be optimized for high pulse applications using an AMR-friendly battery chemistry. Discover’s bobbin-type lithium thionyl chloride battery offers the long life, low self-discharge, and safe temperature characteristics needed for these demanding high pulse applications. These features are combined with a patented hybrid layer capacitor that works in parallel to deliver pulses up to 15 A, reducing the balancing problems and current leakage associated with supercapacitors.