In the thriving era of intelligent manufacturing and smart logistics, autonomous mobile robots ( Autonomous Mobile Robot, commonly known as AMR ) With its high flexibility, precise navigation capabilities, and efficient operational features, it has become a key tool for numerous enterprises to optimize production processes and enhance warehouse efficiency. As professionals deeply rooted in the logistics equipment field at Guangdong Xiada Shelf Company, we fully understand that a scientifically rigorous installation process for AMRs, coupled with meticulous workshop layout planning and thorough commissioning & acceptance procedures, is the core prerequisite for ensuring the stable operation of robotic systems and achieving cost reduction along with increased productivity. Today, we’ll break down this entire workflow in detail, helping you gain a comprehensive understanding of the underlying technical principles and practical considerations involved.

I. Autonomous Mobile Robot Installation Process: From "Entry" to "Positioning"

The installation of AMR is by no means a simple matter of placing equipment—it’s a systematic project involving environmental adaptation, system integration, and functional activation, with every step requiring precise control. Here are the key steps in a typical installation process:

1. Preliminary Preparation and On-site Inspection
- **Basic Condition Verification:** Before installation, collaborate with electrical engineers, the IT team, and the workshop supervisor to thoroughly check essential site conditions, including power supply stability (voltage fluctuation range), network coverage strength (especially addressing Wi-Fi or 5G signal dead zones), and floor levelness (slope ≤2‰, ensuring uneven surfaces don’t compromise wheel assembly longevity). For renovations of older workshops, also assess the compatibility of existing shelving units and conveyor systems.
- Tool and Materials List: Prepare in advance specialized wrenches, a level, a multimeter, anti-static gloves, and other tools, as well as the robot unit itself, charging stations, safety warning signs, grounding cables, and other materials. Pay special attention to the specific power interface requirements of AMRs from different brands (e.g., some models require industrial-grade PoE power supply).

2. Positioning and Securing the Robot Body
- Positioning markers: Using a laser rangefinder or chalk lines, precisely mark the docking points and charging areas on the ground according to the pre-set travel path (with errors kept within ±5mm)—this serves as the benchmark for the subsequent navigation algorithm to learn from.
- Mechanical installation: Lift the robot body into the designated position and secure it using anchor bolts or anti-slip pads, ensuring the machine is perfectly level (a spirit level can be used to assist with adjustments). At this stage, simultaneously install safety devices such as collision strips and emergency stop buttons, and connect them to the main control box.

3. Electrical and Communication Wiring
- Power lines: Strictly follow the electrical diagrams to connect the robot’s internal Battery Management System (BMS) to the external charging station, ensuring correct polarity for positive and negative terminals. Additionally, the wiring must be routed through metal flexible conduits for protection, preventing wear and potential short circuits.
- Communication Configuration: Connect to the workshop local area network, assign a fixed IP address range, and verify whether data interaction with the WMS (Warehouse Management System) and MES (Manufacturing Execution System) is functioning properly. For models supporting 4G/5G, also ensure the stability of public network communication.

4. Software Initialization and Parameter Calibration
- Firmware Upgrade: Log in to the robot management platform and update the controller firmware to the latest version, fixing potential vulnerabilities and unlocking new feature modules.
- Sensor calibration: Sequentially calibrate the detection range and sensitivity of perception devices such as LiDAR, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors. For instance, LiDAR requires 360° scanning calibration using a reflector to ensure precise obstacle avoidance; meanwhile, the visual camera needs to capture ground texture samples to train its image recognition model.
- Map Building: Activate the SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) feature, enabling the robot to travel slowly along a pre-defined route and automatically generate an electronic map of the workshop. During this process, manual corrections are required to refine obstacle annotations, ensuring that shelf columns or fire hydrants are not mistakenly identified as navigable areas.

Intelligent Automated Warehouse System

II. Workshop Layout Planning: Enabling More Efficient Collaboration Among "People, Machines, and Goods"

A well-planned workshop layout is the foundation for AMRs to operate at their full potential. When designing, it’s essential to balance material flow routes, equipment spacing, and future expansion needs—guided by the core principles of "shortest paths, minimal crossings, and ease of maintenance." Here are the key design dimensions:

1. Clear functional zoning
- Goods receiving buffer zone → Storage area → Picking zone → Shipping zone: These four core areas are defined according to the logistics sequence, with AMRs handling material transportation between each zone. For instance, after raw materials are received and入库 (入库), AMRs move them from the receiving zone to the automated立体货架 storage area; when a production line places an order, items are retrieved from the storage area and delivered to the temporary staging station next to the workstation.
- Human-Machine Collaboration Buffer Zone: In areas with frequent manual operations (such as packing stations or quality inspection zones), establish buffer channels with a width of at least 1.5 meters. This not only facilitates quick loading and unloading of goods by workers but also prevents congestion caused by the frequent start-and-stop movements of AMRs.

2. Path Planning and Corridor Design
- Main channel separated from branch paths: The recommended width for the main channel is 2.5–3 meters, ensuring smooth two-way passage for two AMRs. The branch paths (connecting shelves to workstations) should be at least 1.8 meters wide, with a turning radius that matches the robot’s minimum turning radius—typically ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 meters.
- Unidirectional/Bidirectional Diversion: High-frequency transportation routes (such as finished goods leaving the warehouse) can utilize a unidirectional circular path to minimize waiting time for oncoming vehicles; low-frequency routes (like spare parts collection) can be equipped with bidirectional channels to enhance flexibility.

3. Shelf-to-Station Matching
- Shelf Selection: Heavy-duty shelves are ideal for storing large, pallet-sized items, while medium-sized pallet racking is suitable for sorting smaller goods. The height difference between these two types of shelving should align with the AMR’s lifting capacity (typically 0.8–3 meters). For instance, if the AMR’s maximum lifting height is 2.5 meters, the top shelf should not exceed 2.4 meters above the floor, leaving a safety clearance of 10 cm.
- Docking station design: A standardized docking platform (with dimensions matching the AMR carrier) is installed at the front of the shelving unit, equipped with photoelectric sensors. When the AMR arrives at the designated spot, the sensors automatically activate an indicator light to alert workers to begin loading or unloading, enabling a smart "goods arrive, light turns on" interaction.

4. Dynamically Adjust Reservations
- As order volumes grow, it may become necessary to increase the number of AMRs or adjust the placement of shelves in the future. Therefore, during the initial planning phase, it’s advisable to reserve 20%–30% of flexible space—such as by using modular shelving configurations, or by leaving extra expandable charging station spots on both sides of the aisles.

System Composition Structure Analysis

III. Commissioning and Acceptance Procedures: Multi-dimensional Validation to Ensure a "Zero-Fault" Launch

Testing and acceptance is the final checkpoint for project implementation, requiring comprehensive tests—from individual machine performance and system integration to long-term stability—divided into the following stages:

1. Single-unit no-load test
- **Performance Metrics:** Testing AMR’s straight-line travel speed (to ensure compliance with the contract requirement of 0.8–1.5 m/s), smoothness of acceleration/deceleration (free from jerks or jolts), and precision of in-place rotation angle (with an error margin of ≤3°).
- Navigation Reliability: Simulate scenarios such as sudden power outages followed by restarts, strong light interference (e.g., direct sunlight shining on LiDAR), and ground-level stains obstructing QR codes, then observe whether the robot can autonomously recover its navigation and return to the correct path.
- Safety mechanisms: Manually blocking the travel path to test the emergency stop button response time (≤ 0.5s), the pre-collision warning distance (typically requiring deceleration 0.3–0.5 m in advance), and the pressure threshold of the contact-type anti-collision strips (to prevent shutdown triggered by even slight touches).

2. Load联动 Testing
- Full-load test: Load the rated weight of cargo (e.g., 500 kg), run continuously for 8 hours, and monitor battery endurance (automatic recharging triggered when remaining power reaches ≥15%), motor temperature (≤60°C), and tire wear conditions.
- System integration testing: Send simulated orders to the WMS, and observe whether the AMR can accurately receive tasks, navigate to the designated shelves for picking, deliver items to the target workstations along the optimal route, and seamlessly hand over goods to equipment such as lifts and roller conveyors.
- Exception handling test: Intentionally block the barcode label on a specific shelf to check whether the AMR will report a "product not found" error and subsequently recalculate its path via the backend system. Additionally, disconnect the charging station's power supply to verify if the backup battery can sustain operation until the nearest charging point.

3. 72-Hour Trial Run and Final Inspection
- Real-world scenario stress test: During peak production periods, deploy all AMRs simultaneously and monitor their performance by tracking the number of loads handled per hour, average wait time (ideal target <2 minutes), and failure rate (less than 1 failure per 100 tasks).
- User Training and Document Delivery: Demonstrate daily startup procedures, emergency stop operations, and basic troubleshooting steps (such as replacing fuses) to operators, and provide a comprehensive set of technical documents, including the Equipment Manual, Common Faults Chart, and Maintenance Schedule.
- Signature confirmation: Both parties jointly sign the "Acceptance Report," clearly outlining the equipment condition, outstanding issues, and the deadline for corrective actions (if any), marking the official project delivery.

     From millimeter-level precision control during installation, to the holistic perspective required for layout planning, and finally to rigorous testing during commissioning and acceptance—every step reflects the tech team's relentless pursuit of "reliability." At Guangdong Xiada Racks, AMRs are not merely equipment; they are the intelligent link connecting raw materials, production, and warehousing. Only by seamlessly integrating professional installation techniques, scientifically designed layouts, and stringent acceptance criteria can we truly unlock the full potential of AMRs—and help businesses build efficient, flexible, and sustainable smart logistics systems.