Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1535833
Motor control is the dominant energy consumer in most AMR designs. Efficient actuation requires a combination of low- resistance power switches and smart gate drive strategies to reduce conduction and switching losses. Additionally, advanced MOSFETs with low RDS(on) and optimized thermal characteristics are essential for minimizing power dissipation during mobility and manipulation. For systems with many actuated joints, the cumulative efficiency of each motor stage significantly extends overall uptime. Battery charging introduces additional complexity, as systems now demand 1-3 kW charging capability with minimal energy loss and fast cycle times. To improve charging efficiency, totem-pole power factor correction (PFC) architectures eliminate input diode bridges. Resonant converters such as LLC topologies enable soft-switching across varying load conditions. These architectures are often paired with wide-bandgap semiconductors like silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs. SiC supports faster switching and higher thermal tolerance compared to silicon- based alternatives. Power management must also support safe and reliable operation under fault conditions. To this end, electronic fuses (eFuses) provide programmable overcurrent protection, inrush control, and thermal shutdown for improved fault isolation compared to mechanical fuses. Their resettable nature also supports fault recovery and reduced maintenance, which can be valuable for AMRs deployed in remote or autonomous scenarios. All things considered, efficiency alone is not sufficient. Rather, AMRs must also manage power intelligently, including scaling performance based on task load, shedding non-essential subsystems when battery levels drop, and enabling limp-home behavior during failure states. Collectively, intelligent power distribution, protection, and actuation systems can unlock a new class of mobile robots. C h a p t e r 3 | I n t e l l i g e n t P o w e r a n d E n e r g y E f f i c i e n c y We built our autonomous disinfection robot to protect frontline workers during COVID and minimize downtime in critical areas like operating rooms and isolation units. Energy-efficient architectures and edge computing enabled safe, uninterrupted operation, helping hospitals bring vital spaces back online faster and more efficiently." Niamh Donnelly Co-Founder, Akara Robotics 16 Engineering the Future: The Sensors and Systems Powering Modern Mobile Robots