Published on: April 20, 2025 / update from: April 20, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Automation and robotics in intralogistics: A profound change in the industry - Image: Xpert.digital
Automated intralogistics: billion dollar market with growing potential
Solve a shortage of workers: The role of robots in logistics
Intralogistics are faced with a revolutionary transformation through the increased use of automation and robotic solutions. Current market data and studies show a dramatic increase in robot use in logistics companies, whereby the technologies are becoming increasingly diverse and more efficient. The automated intralogistics material handling market is expected to grow to $ 162.3 billion by 2031, which underlines the enormous economic importance of this trend. Particularly autonomous mobile robots, AI-based picking systems and collaborative robots are driving this development, while companies are looking for increasing efficiency requirements and the challenges of booming e-commerce for solutions for shortage of labor.
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The transformation of intralogistics through automation
The intralogistics is in a phase of profound changes. Innovative technologies such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRS), digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI) and humanoid robots are driving development, while cloud-based platforms improve efficiency, safety and scalability. This development marks a new era in which flexibility and innovative ability become decisive success factors.
Dramatic change in setting robot use
A particularly remarkable aspect is the rapid change in the attitude of companies to robot technologies. While in a survey of 2022, 40% of the companies surveyed still provides information to have no plans for the use of robots, this number has shrunk to just 8% in just two years. At the same time, 46% of companies are currently planning to introduce robots, which shows a significant paradigm shift in the industry.
Impressive market forecasts
The economic dimension of this development is reflected in impressive growth forecasts:
- The automated intralogistics material handling market is expected to grow to $ 162.3 billion by 2031
- The global market for industrial robotics is expected to increase from $ 55.1 billion in 2025 to $ 291.1 billion by $ 2035, with an annual growth rate of 18.1%
- From 2024 to 2033, the European market for logistics automation will have an annual growth rate of 11.18%
- The market for mobile robot is expected to reach USD 29.86 billion in 2025
These figures make it clear that automation in intralogistics is not only a temporary trend, but is also a fundamental and sustainable transformation of the industry.
Driving factors for the automation revolution
Several key factors drive increasing automation in intralogistics and reinforce each other.
Local shortage as a central driver
The persistent shortage of skilled and labor is one of the greatest challenges for logistics companies and is mentioned in numerous studies as the main motivation for investments in automation solutions. In a recent survey, 58% of the companies stated that shortage of workers was their most important motivation for the use of robotics.
E-commerce boom and changed customer requirements
The rapid development of e-commerce has led to an explosion-like increase in the package volume. In 2021, 159 billion packages were sent worldwide. This development, coupled with increasing customer expectations regarding delivery speed and accuracy, presents traditional manual processes with enormous challenges.
Efficiency and productivity increase
Automated systems work significantly more efficiently and with higher consistency than manual processes. You can operate around the clock, reduce error quotas and significantly increase throughput. A current survey shows that 91% of the companies have achieved or exceeded their goals regarding the time until value creation with robotic solutions, while 83% saw their performance goals fulfilled.
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Technological innovations in intralogistics
The technological spectrum of intralogistics automation is becoming increasingly wider and more diverse.
Autonomous mobile robot systems
Autonomated Mobile Robot (AMRS) and automated guided vehicles (AGVS) revolutionize the material flows in logistics centers. They independently navigate through warehouses, transport goods and adapt their routes dynamically to changed environmental conditions. According to a Gartner analysis, the market for mobile robots will grow strongly in the coming years.
Collaborative and specialized robotics
Collaborative robots (cobots) are specially designed for safe cooperation with human employees and are becoming increasingly important. In addition, highly specialized robot systems for specific applications develop:
- Commissioning and sorting robot for precise and fast order processing
- Charging and discharging systems for trucks to automate a traditionally labor-intensive process
- Cleaning robot that can be seamlessly integrated into production processes
- Drones for monitoring stocks and real -time data acquisition
- Humanoid robots of companies such as Figure AI and Agility Robotics that could take on flexible tasks in the future
AI and cloud-based solutions
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly integrated into robot systems and enable complex decision -making processes and predictive maintenance. These technologies enable robots to learn from experiences and to continuously improve their performance.
Innovative system approaches
An example of innovative system approaches is Beckhoff's MX system, a flexible, space-saving and intelligent system solution, which can completely replace conventional control cabinets and opens up completely new possibilities for fulfillment and package automation solutions.
Areas of application and practical examples
The automation technologies are used in numerous intralogistics areas.
Commissioning and sorting
The picking is mentioned by 46% of companies as the next priority for robot use. Current use scenarios include:
- Robotic picking systems (32% of companies already use them)
- Sorting robot (24% usage rate)
- Automated container transport systems
An example of advanced integration is the use of robots in combination with image processing systems that automatically generate packages, assess their size and guide them in the right direction.
Transport and material flow
The internal transport is increasingly processed by autonomous systems:
- Case/dead transport robot (20% usage rate)
- Heavy -load transport robot (12% usage rate)
- Autonomous forklifts and robot tractors for the farm
Leading providers such as Magazino and Kuka develop versatile robot systems, which range from mobile small sections to collaborative mobile robots.
Data acquisition and monitoring
An increasingly important area of application is autonomous data acquisition and monitoring:
- 36% of companies use robotics for autonomous data acquisition
- Drone monitor stocks and record real -time data
- Cleaning robots are integrated into production processes and optimize the conditions for other systems
Advantages and challenges of automation
The implementation of automation solutions offers numerous advantages, but also presents companies with challenges.
Efficiency gains and productivity increase
Automated storage systems and transport robots ensure high productivity and consistently good quality in the warehouse. You can work around the clock, do not need breaks and work with constant precision.
Positive return-on investment consideration
Despite the initially high investment costs, many companies report a positive ROI assessment of their automation projects:
- 88% of the companies were satisfied with the integration costs
- 79% state that the expectations of total operating costs have been met or exceeded
- 42% of companies state ROI as a key criterion when choosing robotics
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Integration and implementation challenges
The challenges include:
- High initial investments that can be a hurdle, especially for smaller companies
- Lack of trust in new technologies
- Difficult image of complex logistics processes in automated systems
Future prospects of intralogistics automation
The future of intralogistics will be shaped by further automation and integration.
Market forecasts and trends
Although the robot question in 2024 is expected to stagnate, recovery is expected from 2025, and the long -term prospects remain positive. Most survey participants (71%) plan to expand their robot fleet over the next two years.
Technological advancements
In the next 2-5 years, companies are expected to invest more in the following technologies:
- Sorting robots (33% of companies show interest)
- Robot putting systems (33%)
- Robotic cube storage systems (29%)
- Container transport robot (25%)
Change of jobs in logistics
The increasing automation does not necessarily lead to the disappearance of jobs, but to their transformation. Employees are relieved of manual and recurring routine tasks and can devote themselves to more demanding activities. However, this requires new qualification profiles and continuous further training.
An unstoppable transformation process
Automation and robotics in intralogistics represent a deep and unstoppable transformation process. Driven by a shortage of labor, e-commerce boom and efficiency requirements are investing more and more companies in innovative technologies such as autonomous mobile robots, AI-based systems and collaborative robotics.
The impressive market forecasts and the dramatically modified setting of companies to use robots underline the importance of this development. Although there are challenges such as high investment costs and implementation hurdles, most companies outweigh the advantages in the form of efficiency gains, productivity increases and improved working conditions.
For logistics companies, it is now crucial to develop a clear automation strategy that fits your specific requirements and continuously invest in the qualification of your employees in order to successfully shape the transition and to remain competitive.
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