Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) have traditionally been associated with material transport and intralogistics. However, in high precision manufacturing, repeatability is a fundamental requirement. AMRs are designed to execute tasks consistently and reliably, often thousands of times per day. When mobility is combined with highly repeatable processes, AMRs become more than logistics systems, becoming an active part of the manufacturing process itself.
Quality control depends on consistency. The ability to perform the same inspection process repeatedly and without variation is critical for obtaining reliable measurement results. AMRs bring exactly these characteristics. They can handle large volumes of parts within short periods while executing measurement-related tasks in the same way every time. This combination of throughput and consistency makes mobile automation very attractive for quality assurance applications.
Two key factors are driving manufacturers to consider AMR based inspection approaches. The first is space. Integrating a dedicated measurement cell into an OEM production environment can be difficult because available floor space is often limited. The second factor is cost. A stationary inspection cell can quickly exceed one million euros in investment. In contrast, an AMR based solution offers a more flexible and cost effective alternative while supporting a wide range of measurement applications.
Despite their advantages, AMRs also introduce new technical challenges. One of the most significant limitations involves safety systems. When heavy equipment is mounted on an AMR, safety mechanisms may detect excessive forces and automatically stop operation. This can restrict certain applications and reduce the range of equipment that can be deployed on mobile platforms.
Precision remains the most important requirement in any metrology application. Positioning accuracy on a mobile platform is maintained through a combination of precise localization, automated calibration, and reference based alignment routines. By continuously validating and correcting the coordinate system before measurements are performed, manufacturers can achieve consistent results even when the measurement system itself is mobile.
Mobility changes how inspection resources are deployed across the factory. Instead of transporting parts to a dedicated measurement station, the inspection system can move directly to the production process. This approach reduces transport times and eliminates unnecessary waiting periods, helping to shorten overall cycle times. At the same time, repeatability and traceability can be maintained through automated workflows, standardized measurement procedures, and centralized management of quality data.
The mobile platform is only one component of a successful quality control system. As factories become more connected and dynamic, orchestration software plays an increasingly important role. Solutions such as EDAS coordinate workflows, manage measurement resources, and ensure that inspection activities are executed consistently across different systems. The real value of mobile automation comes not only from moving equipment but from intelligently orchestrating the entire quality control process.
This article was developed with input from Bastian Wagner, currently working in manufacturing planning at BMW Group. We sincerely thank Bastian for contributing his practical insights and helping shape the discussion around mobile metrology and quality control!
