MiR autonomous mobile robot sales increase by 42% in 2021

Mobile Industrial Robots, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, says it experienced a 42% increase in sales in 2021 compared with 2020. December alone was a “record month” for the company, with close to 300 robots shipped, which is more than any previous month.

“We grew significantly in 2021 despite component shortages as customers recognise the value of our safe, reliable and easy-to-deploy AMRs,” said Søren Nielsen, President of MiR. “We enter 2022 with strong expectations that growth will continue, and with a very strong order book.”

Since MiR launched its first robot in 2015, the company’s products have proved especially popular in the automobile and electronics industries, with major multinational customers such as Schneider Electric, Ford and Faurecia.

While these markets continue to invest in MiR AMRs, MiR now also sees strong sales from companies within the logistics and consumer packaged goods sectors wanting to optimise and automate their internal transport.

MiR’s later and more powerful robots — such as the MiR600 and MiR1350, both introduced in 2021 — have been top sellers in the new sectors.

“These new robots have clearly expanded our market because we can operate in more environments and transport heavier items,” Nielsen said. “Another new solution introduced last year, the MiR250 Hook, has also been highly popular within the logistics sector, which has been waiting for a way to streamline the towing of multiple types of transport carts. It’s been exciting to see companies benefit as they’ve deployed these new solutions.”

As part of the growing global autonomous transport trend, more companies are focusing on how AMRs can be integrated with their other automation solutions.

“No matter their industry, each company has stringent requirements for user-friendliness, navigation, scalability and safety, and they appreciate our ability to integrate complete, reliable solutions together and into their own IT systems,” he added.

The company’s main office will soon be based in the planned Cobot Hub in Odense, Denmark, which is being built in collaboration with robot company Universal Robots.