The evolution of warehouse robotics: from automation to autonomy
December 5, 2025
Warehousing is entering a new chapter. Rising customer expectations, labour shortages, and the growth of e-Commerce are putting enormous pressure on operations. Warehouses are expected to be faster, more accurate and adaptive than ever before. Traditional automation has helped, but it has limits. In many facilities, critical decisions still depend on people interpreting data and manually coordinating responses. That’s no longer enough.
A new generation of robotics, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs),are changing the way warehouses work. These technologies don’t just make existing processes more efficient; they transform how decisions are made and executed. The result is a smarter, safer, and more scalable warehouse environment.
From fixed automation to intelligent systems
Automation in warehouses is not new. Conveyor belts, barcode scanners, and early automated guided vehicles (AGVs) have been in place for decades. These systems increased efficiency, reduced manual labour, and provided greater visibility. But they were reactive and rigid built for repetition rather than adaptation.
AI has shifted this paradigm. Instead of simply reporting information, intelligent software can now detect patterns, forecast demand, and even trigger actions automatically. For example, an AI system can analyse order patterns and predict a likely stockout, reordering before the disruption occurs. This move from fixed automation to intelligence lays the foundation for what Dexory defines as the Adaptive Warehouse.
The rise of AMRs
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) represent one of the clearest steps toward true autonomy. Unlike traditional AGVs, which follow fixed tracks, AMRs use advanced navigation to move dynamically around obstacles, adapt to layout changes, and work safely alongside people.
AMRs are increasingly deployed for repetitive, labour-intensive tasks like transporting goods, restocking shelves, or assisting in picking. By taking on these tasks, AMRs free human workers to focus on higher value activities such as exception handling, customer service, or process improvement.
According to recent research, AMRs can boost order-picking efficiency by 20-30% and reduce operational costs by 15-20% in large scale warehouse deployments (1) . For warehouses facing rising wages and persistent labour shortages, these benefits make AMRs a powerful lever for both productivity and profitability.
A good example comes from Maersk, who trialled Dexory’s robots at its Kettering warehouse in the UK. By combining autonomous robots with a powerful data platform, Maersk was able to improve visibility and reduce manual intervention in inventory processes (2).
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Autonomy in action: case studies
Beyond efficiency, autonomous robots are enabling warehouses to achieve levels of scale and accuracy that were once unthinkable. DCL Logistics implemented DexoryView with autonomous scanning robots and reported significant gains: more than 10,000 pallet locations scanned per hour, a 14% increase in pallet location accuracy, and 10× faster counting compared to previous methods(3).
Dexory’s robots, capable of scanning racks up to 14 metres high, now deliver continuous 24/7 visibility and create detailed digital twins of warehouses. This allows operators to monitor and optimise operations in real time, ensuring better space utilisation, faster responses, and higher throughput(4).
Safety as the foundation
For autonomy to succeed in real-world environments, safety is non-negotiable. Today’s autonomous robots rely on advanced perception systems - combining 2D/3D LiDAR, cameras, and real-time mapping - to navigate safely around people and obstacles. Dexory’s robots are designed with layered safety protocols that allow them to operate seamlessly in busy environments without compromising human safety(5).
These safety measures are critical to building trust between humans and robots. By ensuring reliable collaboration, they make it possible for warehouses to adopt autonomy at scale.
Why autonomy matters now
The move from automation to autonomy isn’t just about technological advancement. It’s about solving the pressing challenges facing warehouses today:
- Labour shortages: Robots reduce dependence on human labour by taking over repetitive, low value tasks.
- Speed and accuracy: Autonomous systems reduce errors and accelerate throughput by making instant decisions.
- Resilience: Warehouses become better equipped to respond to disruptions, whether sudden demand spikes or supply chain delays.
- Scalability: Operations can grow without proportional increases in labour or cost, thanks to continuous autonomous operation.
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Making the transition
Adopting autonomous robotics requires more than deploying new equipment. Success depends on four pillars:
- Clean, connected data: Autonomous systems rely on accurate, integrated data streams to function effectively.
- Process redesign: Workflows must evolve for human‑robot collaboration, not just human‑only decision‑making.
- Change management: Teams need support and training to adapt to new tools and ways of working.
- The right partners: Providers who understand both warehouse operations and robotics technology are essential.
Warehouses that treat this shift as a holistic transformation are already seeing the biggest gains.
Shaping the future of warehousing
Warehousing is moving beyond static automation into an era of intelligence and autonomy. AI and robotics are no longer future promises - they’re delivering measurable improvements in performance and resilience today.
The question is not whether autonomous robotics will become standard, but whether your warehouse will adopt them early enough to gain the advantage. Those who act now will build the adaptive, scalable operations needed to compete in the logistics landscape of tomorrow. Those who wait risk being left behind.
(1)https://www.verduscoautomation.com/blog/amr-warehouse-automation
(4)https://www.foundamental.com/perspectives/dexory---24-7-warehouse-scanning-with-14-meter-robots
(5)https://www.dexory.com/insights/leading-the-way-in-warehouse-robot-safety