The ROI Multiplier: How Minimizing Robots Maximizes Throughput and Savings

There comes a moment when simply adding more robots stops improving results and begins to waste resources. Excessive automation not only drives up expenses but also brings diminishing returns.

Warehouse robotics is experiencing rapid expansion. According to Next Move Strategy Consulting, over 51,000 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) were shipped worldwide in 2023, and this number is expected to climb to 180,000 by 2030. These systems can greatly enhance warehouse efficiency and help alleviate labor shortages.

“There’s a point when just throwing more robots at a problem delivers diminishing returns.”

Instead of scaling robot fleets endlessly, new technology that merges advanced cloud and edge computing can boost performance using fewer machines. With optimized AMR deployment, businesses could achieve the same throughput with roughly one-third fewer robots.

Benefits of Optimized AMR Deployment

Streamlined workflows
Better asset utilization
Reduced capital expenditures
Higher operational margins

Many warehouses operate oversized AMR fleets due to downtime and poor utilization in three main areas. These inefficiencies can be corrected with sophisticated orchestration systems that combine smart cloud computing and a robust edge network.

This coordination enables robots to share tasks and movements in real time while cloud systems analyze performance data, refine workflows, and constantly update schedules for peak efficiency.

Author’s Summary

Optimizing robotic systems through integrated cloud and edge computing lets warehouses reach more with fewer AMRs, cutting costs and boosting performance efficiency.

SupplyChainBrain — 2025-11-06