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Seaports to install almost 400,000 automated guided vehicles by 2030

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The maritime industry has drastically surged its automation efforts in the wake of global seaport congestion.

In addition to solutions such as gantries, automated port gates, and stacking cranes, autonomous horizontal transport modes such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that transport containers and loads to and from ships have been the most productivity-augmenting solutions in seaports.

According to ABI Research, a technology research firm, AGV seaport deployments worldwide will have a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 26 per cent from 2022 to 2030 and exceed 370,000 global deployments by 2027. [Read more…] about Seaports to install almost 400,000 automated guided vehicles by 2030

BlueBotics takes indoor robots outside

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Swiss autonomous robot navigation company BlueBotics has launched ANT everywhere, a new product extension for its ANT navigation products that widen the scope of AGV and AMR operations by enabling outdoor operations.

Outdoor use has traditionally been a challenge for producers of automated vehicles. This is because there are typically few permanent “features” visible outdoors, which are required for modern mobile robots to calculate their exact position.

Up to now, vehicle producers have addressed this challenge either by using ad-hoc navigation add-ons, such as patching a GPS system on top of an existing navigation product or by adding additional outdoor infrastructure, such as custom poles featuring reflectors. [Read more…] about BlueBotics takes indoor robots outside

Hesai Technology to provide lidar for planned Cratus warehouse robots

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Hesai Technology, a provider of lidar solutions, and Cratus, a software solution integrator for lidar systems, have agreed a strategic alliance to develop autonomous warehouse solutions using Hesai’s “groundbreaking safety-rated” 3D lidar, the QT128.

Cratus has selected the QT128 as the lead sensor in its all-new lidar perception package for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

AGVs and AMRs have been used for many years in warehouses and manufacturing plants to accomplish a variety of material handling tasks. [Read more…] about Hesai Technology to provide lidar for planned Cratus warehouse robots

BlueBotics and ProLog Automation partner to drive German AGV adoption

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BlueBotics and ProLog Automation have signed a strategic partnership to help drive the adoption of automated guided vehicles (AGV/FTS) across the German manufacturing and logistics sectors.

This agreement positions ProLog Automation as a key BlueBotics solutions partner for the German market.

Under the terms of the agreement, ProLog’s AGV consulting and integration teams will undergo extensive training by BlueBotics’ engineers on the company’s Autonomous Navigation Technology (ANT), a predominantly software-based platform on which companies can build robust, scalable, and even interoperable fleets of diverse ‘ANT driven’ vehicles. [Read more…] about BlueBotics and ProLog Automation partner to drive German AGV adoption

Material handling specialist Ceteas selects Kollmorgen AGVs

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Ceteas has selected Kollmorgen as a technology and service partner for their AGV applications made in Abruzzo. The strategic partnership is aimed at growing end-user operations by simplifying and streamlining their processes.

With over 40 years of experience, Ceteas has become a trusted specialized material handling consultancy for the Italian industry. Their wide range of full-service solutions cover intralogistics in both manufacturing and warehousing.

Matteo Di Cosimo, automation manager of Ceteas, says: “Running multiple plants with multiple types of solutions is very demanding for our customers. [Read more…] about Material handling specialist Ceteas selects Kollmorgen AGVs

BlueBotics to showcase its robotics technology at LogiMAT after acquisition by Zapi

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BlueBotics, a Zapi Group company specializing in vehicle automation, will stage a multi-brand automated vehicle demonstration in the Zapi Group/BlueBotics booth (#6B61 in hall 6).

This demo will include: two autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), two automated pallet trucks, and a larger forked automated guided vehicle (AGV) in simultaneous operation, all managed simultaneously by the company’s mission and fleet management software, ANT server.

Dr Nicola Tomatis, BlueBotics CEO, says: “AGV and AMR interoperability is a hot topic in 2023. And while emerging standards such as VDA 5050 and MASS in the US are exciting developments, these are still in their infancy in terms of the vehicle functionality they support. [Read more…] about BlueBotics to showcase its robotics technology at LogiMAT after acquisition by Zapi

Kivnon to launch new version of its forklift AGV at Advanced Factories Expo

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Kivnon will launch one of the latest additions to its AGV portfolio, the K55 Pallet Stacker, at this year’s Advanced Factories Expo, which runs from 18-20th April in Barcelona. 

Kivon’s range of AGVs is renowned for robustness, safety, and accuracy, and this new addition to the portfolio provides customers with a vehicle that can automatically transport stack pallets.

Thierry Delmas, managing director at Kivnon, says: “The K55 is an ideal solution for end-of-line palletizing, food and beverage, and retail applications. It is designed to ensure efficiency, reliability, and complete safety.” [Read more…] about Kivnon to launch new version of its forklift AGV at Advanced Factories Expo

MasterMover partners with BlueBotics for AGV Navigation

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MasterMover, a manufacturer of electric tug and tow solutions, has agreed a new partnership with vehicle automation company BlueBotics to provide ANT navigation technologies for MasterMover’s range of automated guided vehicles.

Known for its broad portfolio of pedestrian operated electric tugs and electric tows, used across Industrial Manufacturing, Logistics, and Retail, MasterMover also offers a range of advanced solutions, spanning remote control operation, line follow navigation, and fully autonomous solutions.

MasterMover says its AGV products now include BlueBotics’ ANT natural navigation technology as standard, ensuring customers benefit from the “advanced features and functionality available from the vehicle navigation market leader”. [Read more…] about MasterMover partners with BlueBotics for AGV Navigation

Rocla launches new automated compact truck for warehouses and loading docks

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A Finland-based company called Rocla AGV has launched a new, agile AGV – named “ACT”, short for automated compact truck – designed to lift heavy loads in narrow spaces.

Rocla says ACT is an “exceptional addition” to its existing AGV line, allowing the company to offer our customers an even more versatile product range.

From the comprehensive Rocla AGV offering, there is always a suitable pick or combination for each customer’s unique needs in warehouse and production environments. [Read more…] about Rocla launches new automated compact truck for warehouses and loading docks