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battery from conditions like overcharging, overcurrent, or thermal runaway. These protections are necessary for the longevity of the battery and the safety of the system. Typically, AMR manufacturers rely on third- party suppliers for battery packs that come with integrated safety protections, as designing a custom BMS can be complex and costly. Once energy is successfully drawn from the battery via the BMS, the power distribution system generally uses DC-DC converters to regulate voltage levels for the various subsystems. Largely, the challenge of designing power distribution systems lies in integrating components from different manufacturers. Each component will often have its own power requirements, and ensuring that a singular power distribution system can handle the varying demands of each subsystem is no simple feat. Therefore, integration often requires custom-designed power distribution boards, which are tailored to the specific needs of the robot. The efficiency of power management is also a central design consideration. Older systems often used low-dropout (LDO) regulators to manage power, but these are less efficient when handling large loads. Modern AMRs increasingly use high-frequency DC-DC converters to optimize energy use and reduce thermal losses. This shift in design enables AMRs to run for longer periods without compromising on power delivery. Maintaining efficiency, and thereby low thermal output, is also crucial because overheating can lead to system failure. Equally important, the robot must be able to operate safely around humans without introducing additional cooling systems that could add weight and complexity. C h a p t e r 2 | P o w e r a n d M o t o r C o n t r o l AMRs, particularly those with dexterous manipulators, are intricate distributed systems with numerous actuators, sensors, and processors, each requiring unique voltage and current specifications. Their power distribution must be efficient to ensure reliable operation and long runtime between charges." Łukasz Juszkiewicz Senior Robotics Engineer, Sii Poland 14 13 Experts Discuss Autonomous Mobile Robots