Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

agv

Toyota unveils two new autonomous warehouse vehicles

by

Toyota Forklift has unveiled two new autonomous warehouse vehicles, developed in partnership with Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company.

The “Center-Controlled Rider” and “Core Tow Tractor Automated Forklifts” were designed for manufacturing facilities and distribution center operations where tasks are highly standardized, repetitive, and easily accomplished without the need of advanced human management.

The vehicles use ANT software from BlueBotics. ANT is like an operating system for autonomous mobile robots or automated guided vehicles. [Read more…] about Toyota unveils two new autonomous warehouse vehicles

Kivnon awarded AGV project by US truck-making giant Navistar

by

Kivnon has been awarded an automated guided vehicle (AGV) project by Navistar, a top manufacturer of commercial trucks and other large vehicles in the USA.

Navistar has chosen Kivnon’s automation solutions for its new manufacturing plant in Texas.

The international group Kivnon, which specializes in the automation of industrial processes using self-guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs), expands its presence in the American market through a contract agreement with Navistar to provide a complete mobile robotics solution and bring automation to their new assembly plant. [Read more…] about Kivnon awarded AGV project by US truck-making giant Navistar

Motor Controllers Used in Autonomous Mobile Robots

by

Internal logistics is an indispensable part of the supply chain, especially in large manufacturing enterprises.

However, the tasks involved can also be quite repetitive. Humans can easily do such tasks, but that’s neither cost-effective nor efficient.

Why waste employee resources doing mundane and repetitive tasks when they can be automated? [Read more…] about Motor Controllers Used in Autonomous Mobile Robots

Rapid Growth of Autonomous Forklifts

by

By Thomas R. Cutler

Autonomously driven forklifts, whether in distribution centers, manufacturing, or some hybrid, are much more cost-effective than manned forklifts for extremely repetitive processes.

They can be integrated into continuous round-the-clock operations covering several shifts. Self-controlling these trucks can coordinate perfectly in terms of routing and speed. This enables material flows to maintain optimal levels and the energy consumption is kept to a minimum.

The additional benefit reported by facilities managers includes substantially less damage to shelving, loads, pallets, and other trucks, as they navigate more accurately and safely than manned forklifts. [Read more…] about Rapid Growth of Autonomous Forklifts

Kivnon launches ‘AGV/AMR Exchange Program’ for its warehouse robots

by

Kivnon has launched a “AGV/AMR Exchange Program” for its warehouse robots – its automated guided vehicles as well as its autonomous mobile robots.

Kivnon says its customers can swap their old AGV or AMR and “save up to 40 percent on a brand-new” Kivnon warehouse robot.

Kivnon specializes in the automation of industrial processes using self-guided vehicles, and its customers include the largest automakers in the world. [Read more…] about Kivnon launches ‘AGV/AMR Exchange Program’ for its warehouse robots

Geodis implements Grenzebach AGV solutions for large warehouse operation

by

Over the past year, Grenzebach and Geodis, a global supply chain operator, have been engaged in a joint project setting up a Grenzebach Goods-to-Person solution for a large consumer electronics customer.

The Goods-to-Person solution has been installed at Geodis’ Nashville, Tennessee campus. It features Grenzebach L600 automated guided vehicles, mobile storage units and picking stations as well as software.

The project has been run as a pilot program, designed to make the jobs of Geodis teammates easier, safer and more productive. Following the success of the pilot program, Geodis is now introducing Grenzebach AGV solutions to additional clients. [Read more…] about Geodis implements Grenzebach AGV solutions for large warehouse operation

SICK’s outdoorScan3 wins Honorable Mention at Engineers’ Choice Awards

by

SICK’s outdoorScan3 has won an Honorable Mention for Machine Safety Category at Control Engineering 2020 Engineers’ Choice Awards.

Every year, Control Engineering honors new products in automation, control, and instrumentation technology markets with the Engineers’ Choice Awards (ECA).

The ECA program is an annual reader-choice program, created to provide Control Engineering readers with information about top new products in the industry. [Read more…] about SICK’s outdoorScan3 wins Honorable Mention at Engineers’ Choice Awards

BlueBotics marks 10 years of its AGV operating system

by

BlueBotics has marked 10 years of its Autonomous Navigation Technology operating system for automated guided vehicles.

BlueBotics chose the recent CeMAT event in China as the platform to celebrate ANT’s 10-year milestone, since the first vehicle driven by its ANT went into commercial operation.

The company also showcased its ANT lite+ and ANT localization+ products’ new support for omnidirectional vehicle movements at the show. [Read more…] about BlueBotics marks 10 years of its AGV operating system

BA Systemes unveils new ‘compact and robust’ AGV

by

Logistics technology company BA Systemes has unveiled what it describes as a “compact and robust” automated guided vehicle for warehouse operation, mainly to handle pallets. (See video below.)

The company says its GF 10.1 AGV has been designed to be “modular and easily adaptable” to the various specificities of its customers.

BA Systemes says the new AGV can handle all types of pallets, from traditional Euro pallets to GMA pallets with perimeter base. [Read more…] about BA Systemes unveils new ‘compact and robust’ AGV

HRG launches new ‘automated guided vehicle’

by

HRG has launched what it describes as an “automated guided vehicle”, although it appears to have the technology that is also found in autonomous mobile robots, which are slightly different.

AGVs are older technology and are limited in their ability to navigate their way round a facility – usually, magnetic strips are fixed to the floor to guide them.

HRG says its AGV integrates “simultaneous localization and mapping”, or SLAM, the navigation technology that gives AMRs their autonomy. [Read more…] about HRG launches new ‘automated guided vehicle’