How AI, AMRs, and autonomous agents are reshaping the modern warehouse
September 2, 2025
The warehouse is changing fast. Rising customer expectations, labour shortages, and the growth of e-commerce are putting pressure on operations to be faster, more accurate, and more adaptive than ever before. Traditional automation has helped, but in many facilities, critical decisions still depend on people interpreting data and manually coordinating responses.
That’s no longer enough.
A new wave of technologies - artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and autonomous agents - is pushing warehouses into a new era. These tools don’t just make existing processes faster; they change the way decisions are made and actions are executed. The result is a smarter, more resilient warehouse capable of adapting in real-time.
To explore what these terms really mean, see our guide to logistics buzzwords.
The market reflects this transformation: the global autonomous mobile robots market was valued at $4.07 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $9.56 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 15.1% (Grand View Research). Meanwhile, the AI in warehousing market surpassed $8.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at around 26.8% CAGR from 2024 to 2032 (GM Insights).
From automation to intelligence
Automation in warehouses is not new. Conveyor belts, barcode scanning, and even early generations of robots have been in place for years. They increased efficiency, reduced manual labour, and provided better visibility. But most of these systems were still reactive.
AI changes this dynamic. Instead of systems passively reporting information and acting, intelligent software can analyse patterns, make predictions, and even recommend best actions and automate some of these on its own. For example, an AI system can spot that an item is likely to go out of stock based on historical data and real-time demand, and then automatically reorder before the problem arises.
This transition from automation to intelligence is the foundation of the Adaptive Warehouse.
The foundation of the Adaptive Warehouse lies not in a single transition, but in the convergence of two dimensions of autonomy: the physical ability of machines to act without intervention, and the cognitive ability of systems to interpret, decide, and optimise in real time.
The rise of AMRs
One of the clearest examples of this shift is the growing use of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Unlike traditional automated guided vehicles (AGVs), which follow fixed paths, AMRs navigate dynamically. They can reroute around obstacles, adjust to changes in layout, and collaborate safely with people working alongside them.
AMRs are increasingly being deployed to handle repetitive, labour intensive tasks like transporting goods, restocking shelves, or assisting with picking. This frees human workers to focus on higher-value tasks such as exception handling, quality control, or customer service.
By taking on repetitive physical tasks that underpin efficiency and throughput, AMRs allow human workers to be deployed more flexibly in areas requiring judgement, dexterity, or problem solving.
The results speak for themselves. Amazon, with over 750,000 robots deployed, has achieved a remarkable 75% reduction in picking and packing times while also effectively reducing worker shortages (Automate.org). For warehouses struggling with labour shortages and rising wages, these are transformative benefits.
Enter the autonomous agent
While AI powers intelligence and AMRs bring flexibility, autonomous agents represent the next step.
Autonomous AI agents are advanced systems capable of thinking and acting independently without human intervention, with the potential to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and revolutionise workflows by linking multiple tasks together to achieve specific goals (Lyzr.ai).
In a warehouse, one agent might monitor incoming deliveries, another might optimise storage locations, and a third could coordinate labour allocation. Together, they form a network of decision-makers that can adapt operations in real-time, without waiting for human approval.
For example, if a truck is delayed at the dock, an agent can immediately reschedule picking tasks, notify affected customers, and reassign robots - automatically.
Why this matters now
The shift toward AI, AMRs, and autonomous agents isn’t just about technology for technology’s sake. It’s about solving some of the most pressing challenges in warehousing today:
- Labour shortages: By taking on repetitive tasks, these systems ease pressure on staffing needs.
- Speed and accuracy: Automated decision-making reduces errors and keeps operations moving at pace.
- Resilience: Warehouses become better equipped to handle disruptions, whether from supply chain volatility or sudden spikes in demand.
- Scalability: Intelligent systems make it easier to grow without an increase in costs or headcount.
The industry recognises this urgency: 52% of warehouse managers anticipate increased spending on automation and robotics in the coming years, and according to Deloitte, 96% of industry leaders deem innovation crucial for growth (Cyngn).
Making the transition
Adopting AI, AMRs, and autonomous agents requires more than just new equipment. Success depends on four key factors:
- Clean, connected data – Intelligent systems rely on accurate, real-time data. Eliminating silos and ensuring integration across systems is essential.
- Process redesign – Workflows need to be rethought for human-AI collaboration rather than human only decision-making.
- Change management – Staff should be trained not just in operating new tools, but in new ways of working with them.
- The right partners – Technology providers who understand warehouse operations, not just software, make all the difference.
Warehouses that treat this as a holistic transformation - rather than a one-off upgrade - are the ones realising the biggest gains.
Shaping the future of warehousing
Warehousing is entering a new chapter. AI, AMRs, and autonomous agents are no longer experiments or future possibilities; they are already reshaping operations for leading companies. Industry projections estimate that more than a quarter of all warehouses will have automation in some capacity installed by 2027, nearly doubling the percentage from a decade ago (NetSuite).
The question isn’t whether these technologies will become standard, but whether your warehouse will adopt them early enough to gain a competitive advantage. Those who act now will benefit from greater resilience, speed, and efficiency. Those who wait risk being left behind.
Learn more about how warehouses are moving from blind to adaptive in our white paper: The Journey to Adaptive Warehouses: How automation, AI, and real-time data are redefining logistics.