In recent years, intralogistics, namely all activities related to the handling, storage, and management of materials within production plants and logistics centers, has undergone a profound transformation.
Driven by increasing demand volumes, labor shortages, and pressure on operating costs, automation is no longer an option but a competitive requirement. In this context, data and mobile robotics technologies have become key factors in rethinking and optimizing resilient, flexible, and scalable supply chain models.
According to an analysis by IDTechEx, cumulative investments in mobile robotics between 2015 and 2022 have grown exponentially, with an overall increase of more than 260 times over that period. This trend is not accidental, but rather the result of pressure on multiple fronts:
The global market for mobile robotics in logistics (excluding heavy L4 vehicles) is expected to reach approximately USD 150 billion in annual revenue by 2044, creating opportunities not only for end users, but also for component suppliers, software providers, and system integrators.
One of the key elements in the evolution of intralogistics is the adoption of automated material handling systems, particularly AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots). While both aim to automate internal material transport, they differ significantly in terms of technology, flexibility, and integration methods
While logistics automation is a cross-industry trend, certain sectors are growing faster due to structural needs related to volumes, product variability, or regulatory requirements.
The dynamics of e-commerce remain one of the main drivers of intralogistics automation. The surge in order volumes, SKU variability, and demand for fast shipping require flexible and highly orchestrated intralogistics systems. Data show that automated picking and mobile robots for internal handling are becoming essential to sustain continuous growth in online volumes.
The pharmaceutical sector is among those with the highest potential for advanced intralogistics, where automation enables not only efficiency, but also quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. Key requirements include full traceability of materials and batches, error and contamination reduction, and controlled handling of high-value flows. Mobile robotics (AGVs and AMRs) and digitalized intralogistics systems improve process reliability and support regulated environments and complex production, becoming a fundamental lever for the sector’s industrial scalability.
In the food industry, batch variability, traceability requirements, and growing demand for freshness and food safety are driving automation solutions that ensure efficiency without compromising quality and safety. AGVs/AMRs and data control systems enable precise monitoring of temperatures, movements, and storage conditions, reducing human error and improving batch management while eliminating typical sources of bacterial contamination in fresh and ambient-processed products. In frozen food operations, robots also help limit workers’ exposure to extreme environmental conditions, improving ergonomics and health.
These materials, widely used in healthcare, hygiene, and technical applications, are undergoing a phase of production evolution. This translates into increased warehouse complexity and the need to automate both the handling of reels and semi-finished products as well as the management of large formats, where AGVs help optimize space utilization and internal flows. In addition, handling soft reels, characterized by significant technical challenges, makes automation and robotics particularly effective in reducing waste.
The push toward automation no longer concerns hardware alone: data have become a central element of modern intralogistics. Advanced systems collect real-time information on operational flows, inventories, and process performance. When integrated with AI algorithms, these data enable layout and route optimization, bottleneck prevention, and reductions in costs and energy consumption. In this way, automation evolves from simple operational support into a data-driven decision-making tool capable of improving overall system efficiency.
Discover our software solutions
Intralogisticsis changing rapidly: from an operational function to a strategic engine capable of enabling growth, resilience, and competitiveness. Data clearly show thatinvestments in mobile robotics like AGVs and AMRs, flexible automation, and data-driven systems are becoming increasingly central in the nonwovens, food, e-commerce, and pharma sectors.
At Smartlogistix,we support companies along this journey by designing tailor-made intralogistic ssolutions that integrate:
Would you like to understand how to optimize intralogistics flows in your production or logistics operations?
Fill out the contact form: our team will support you in analyzing your needs and defining the solution best suited to your specific context.