How to calculate a compelling ROI for AMR
In today’s competitive manufacturing landscape, the drive toward automation is more than a trend—it’s a necessity. But despite the operational benefits, one major hurdle continues to hold companies back: how to clearly calculate AMR ROI and justify the investment.
With tightening margins and constant pressure to cut costs, decision-makers are rightly focused on financial returns. The adoption of Autonomous Mobile Robots is no exception. Companies want to see fast, measurable value—and a reliable way to forecast it.
According to our latest industry report, 88% of manufacturers identify ROI uncertainty as a major barrier to automation. That’s where a robust robot ROI calculator becomes a vital tool. Whether you're evaluating industrial automation ROI, or using a more specific robotics ROI calculator for your facility, clear metrics make all the difference.
When calculating AMR robot ROI, factors like labor savings, reduced downtime, increased throughput, and scalability should be included. Tools such as a manufacturing ROI calculator, warehouse automation ROI calculator, or a tailored robot investment calculator can help translate operational benefits into financial terms—making the case for automation far more compelling.
With the right data and tools in place, companies can move forward with confidence—knowing that the ROI from AMRs isn’t just achievable, but often faster and more sustainable than expected.
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Find your return on investment
Supercharge your manufacturing operations with AMRs. Cut costs, streamline supply chains, enhance safety, minimize downtime, create an attractive workplace, and respond swiftly to market demands.
Calculate your ROI by choosing your robot:
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250kg payload
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600kg payload
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1350kg payload
Six figures to include in your ROI calculations
Cutting costs
The most obvious statistic to plot into your ROI calculation is the sum of costs saved with labor and skill optimization
Faster supply chain
Removing human decision making from the supply chain decreases the rate of errors
Improved safety
By including AMRs, the related financial cost from fines, lost workdays and damaged equipment should drop dramatically
Limited downtime
MiR AMRs can be implemented quickly, ensuring that there is no downtime in other processes when the robots are deployed.
Attractive workplace
Implementing AMR to take on the dirty, dull and dangerous jobs will help increase appeal.
Quicker response to market demands
AMRs contribute to reliable, efficient and flexible workflows. This means those who automate the most will be able to respond better to external demands
Is an AMR a Good Investment?
For companies considering automation, one of the first questions is always: What’s the ROI? At MiR, we’ve helped hundreds of manufacturers and logistics providers answer that question with hard data—and the results speak for themselves.
Our experience shows that AMRs consistently deliver strong financial returns. In many cases, customers achieve payback in less than 18 months. That rapid return is driven by immediate reductions in manual transport labor, improved process efficiency, fewer errors, and enhanced flexibility.
Compared to traditional AGVs or fixed automation, AMRs offer a lower total cost of ownership and much faster deployment—making the AMR ROI even more attractive. Tools like our robot investment calculator or a tailored warehouse automation ROI calculator help businesses model the impact across multiple areas, from productivity gains to reallocated labor hours.
When customers use a robotics ROI calculator, they often discover that AMRs aren’t just cost-saving—they’re growth-enabling. The value compounds over time as fleets scale, workflows improve, and reliance on manual processes is reduced.
Whether you’re using a manufacturing ROI calculator or simply benchmarking with internal KPIs, MiR AMRs consistently outperform expectations—proving that AMR robot ROI is not only achievable, but highly compelling in real-world operations.
Addressing the Top Myths Around AMR Investment
When it comes to investing in automation, it's natural to have questions—and even a few doubts. At MiR, we’ve worked with organizations of all sizes, across industries, and we’ve heard many of the same concerns. Below, our experts address the most common myths surrounding AMR ROI—with facts grounded in real-world experience.
AMRs are only for large facilities.
Not true.
While large operations certainly benefit from scale, AMRs are just as impactful in small- to mid-sized facilities. In fact, the flexibility and modular nature of AMRs make them ideal for growing businesses that need to optimize space, minimize manual transport, and adapt quickly to changing workflows. Whether you’re running a 20,000 or 200,000-square-foot operation, AMRs can be configured to fit your needs—and deliver measurable value.
The ROI takes years to realize.
In most cases, it's under 18 months.
Thanks to fast deployment, low infrastructure requirements, and immediate labor savings, most MiR customers report a clear return on investment in 12 to 18 months. With tools like our robot ROI calculator or warehouse automation ROI calculator, businesses can see exactly how AMRs impact cost and productivity from day one.
Integration is too complex.
Not true - It’s simpler than you think.
Unlike traditional automation systems, AMRs don’t require fixed infrastructure like tracks or wires. Our robots are designed to be deployed quickly—with minimal disruption. Plus, MiR’s open software platform integrates easily with existing systems like ERP or WMS, and our team supports every step of the process.
Scaling up is complicated and expensive.
Not true
AMR fleets are designed to scale easily. Adding more MiR robots is straightforward, and our fleet management software ensures coordination as demand grows—without disrupting operations.