Autonomous mobile robots are having a moment in Southeast Asia; Arrow tries to keep the complexity in check

If you’ve been watching the warehouse or factory floor lately, you’ve probably noticed more robots buzzing around. Autonomous mobile robots – AMRs for short – are moving beyond pilot projects across Southeast Asia. Ecommerce, warehouse automation, and smart manufacturing are all pushing demand higher.

But here’s the catch. Getting these robots to work reliably in the real world isn’t just about strapping a camera to a set of wheels. You’ve got to integrate advanced computing, sensing, connectivity, power management, and motion control. All while keeping things safe, scalable, and able to handle dynamic environments.

That’s where Arrow Electronics comes in. The global technology solutions provider is hosting technical seminars in Singapore today (19 May) and in Bangkok on 21 May. The focus: system-level design for AMRs.

Arrow is teaming up with onsemi and several other semiconductor and technology suppliers. Together, they’ll showcase AMR solutions and design approaches. Expect highlights around AI-enabled navigation, advanced sensing, energy efficiency, and industrial-grade reliability. Live demonstrations and hands-on sessions are on the agenda – full-day, in-depth looks at practical design considerations and system architectures.

Onsemi’s David Chow, sales SVP for Asia Pacific, puts it this way: “Autonomous mobile robots rely on the seamless integration of multiple subsystems to move, sense, and operate safely in real-world environments.” He notes that through collaboration with Arrow, onsemi helps cut system complexity by providing smart power and sensing solutions – essential building blocks for AMR designs. That includes rugged high-resolution imaging, high-power motor control, and efficient compact battery-charging solutions.

Arrow’s approach is deliberately system-level. They combine a broad technology portfolio (semiconductors plus industrial-grade interconnect, passive, and electromechanical components) with design engineering, system integration, and supply-chain services. The goal is to help customers manage complexity, lower integration risk, and bring scalable AMR solutions to market more efficiently – from early design all the way to commercial deployment.

Dr Raphael Salmi, president of Arrow’s semiconductor business for South Asia, Korea, and Japan, says that across the region organisations are increasingly adopting AMRs to improve efficiency and operational flexibility in more complex environments. “Through our system-level design approach, regional engineering presence, and integrated supply-chain capabilities,” he adds, “Arrow supports customers as they develop and deploy autonomous mobile robots that can operate safely, reliably, and efficiently in real-world conditions.”

The sessions in Singapore and Bangkok will cover applications in logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and service environments. Reliability, energy efficiency, and scalability are the recurring themes.

If you’re working on AMR designs and want to see how the pieces fit together, registration is open online. More details at arrow.com.