At IMHX 2025, one of the strongest conversations circulating the halls wasn’t about the robots themselves, but rather the infrastructure powering them. Warehouses are investing heavily in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and robotic picking systems to streamline operations. But when things go wrong, it’s not always the hardware at fault – it’s the Wi-Fi.
The Hidden Bottleneck in Warehouse Robotics
When a robot suddenly stops, stutters, or behaves unpredictably, the knee-jerk reaction is to blame the machine. After all, the robot is the visible element of the workflow. But in reality, robots rely on continuous, stable, low-latency communication. If that connection drops or degrades, even the smartest robot will falter.
Our conversations at IMHX revealed a clear trend: while robotic technology continues to evolve, warehouse connectivity often lags behind. Many organisations are still relying on legacy Wi-Fi networks designed for office use, not for dense, dynamic environments filled with metal racks, moving machinery, and changing layouts.
Why Wi-Fi Gets Forgotten
Warehouses tend to prioritise the shiny and tangible aspects of automation—the robots, software platforms, or conveyor systems. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, is often treated as a background utility, assumed to “just work.”
The reality is different. Wi-Fi in a warehouse must contend with:
- High interference from metal shelving and vehicles
- Dynamic environments where layouts and inventory constantly shift
- Coverage gaps caused by dead zones or poor access point placement
- Scalability challenges as more robots and IoT devices come online.
Without purpose-built design, these challenges translate into dropped packets, inconsistent handovers, and performance bottlenecks that limit the efficiency of robots.
Debunking the Hardware Myth
One of the most striking findings from IMHX was the recurring pattern of misplaced blame. When performance issues arise, operators often escalate concerns to robot manufacturers. Yet, in most cases, the root cause isn’t faulty hardware – it’s the wireless network.
By optimising warehouse Wi-Fi, businesses often see dramatic improvements in robot performance without changing a single piece of robotic equipment. In fact, some robot suppliers we spoke with emphasised that they are increasingly collaborating with Wi-Fi specialists to ensure customers achieve the performance promised by automation investments.
Wi-Fi as the Enabler of Automation
The message from IMHX 2025 is clear: as robots become central to warehouse operations, Wi-Fi connectivity must be treated as critical infrastructure. Just as you wouldn’t install an advanced conveyor system without ensuring the floor could support it, you shouldn’t deploy robots without validating the wireless foundation that drives them.
A well-designed warehouse Wi-Fi network delivers:
- Seamless roaming so robots don’t lose connection as they move
- Consistent low latency enabling real-time decision making
- Resilient coverage even in challenging environments
- Future-proof scalability to support new devices and applications.
Final Thought
Warehouse automation is no longer a question of if, but how well. Robots are ready, but too often Wi-Fi is forgotten. The insights from IMHX 2025 highlight that connectivity is the invisible backbone of modern warehouses – and without it, even the most advanced robots are destined to underperform.