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How are AGVs different from AMRs?

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Automating internal supply chain or logistic flows is always a challenge for both big and small companies. With more and more sophisticated systems, companies are increasingly looking to replace operator dependency and let robots handle the goods transfer activity.

Two automation systems are customer’s go-to option for goods/pallet movement: automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

While AGVs have been around for a long time, drastically increasing their functionality and technology over time, AMRs are gaining traction in recent times. [Read more…] about How are AGVs different from AMRs?

How a top automotive manufacturer went ‘fork free’ to boost productivity and safety

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By Rob Sullivan, president and CEO, AutoGuide Mobile Robots

With forklifts an ongoing contributor to workplace accidents, and skilled operators difficult to find and retain in today’s competitive manufacturing environment, automating material transport is solving both issues.

A few years ago, a top-tier automotive manufacturer wanted to reduce how often employees had to manually lift and move heavy objects, and eliminate the risk of forklift-related injuries.

They understood that they needed safer and more efficient solutions for transporting engines and other materials from assembly to testing within their 40,000 square foot facility. [Read more…] about How a top automotive manufacturer went ‘fork free’ to boost productivity and safety

The business case for autonomous mobile robots in manufacturing

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  • First deployment of OTTO AMRs at scale at an F500 company demonstrates clear benefits in productivity, cost savings, and robustness.
  • Analysis reveals that a single AMR unit represents just 10% of the equivalent human labor cost, 20% of forklift operating costs, 50% of conveyor costs and 66% of AGV costs.

For a number of years now, Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) have been considered a promising technology for improving the resilience of manufacturing operations. [Read more…] about The business case for autonomous mobile robots in manufacturing

ForwardX launches six new autonomous mobile robots

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ForwardX Robotics has launched six new products under its Max range of autonomous mobile robots: Max 300 Lift Lite, Max 300 Conveyor, Max 600 Conveyor, Max 1200 Standard, Max 1200 Lift, and Max 1200 Conveyor.

All the new robots are built to safely and efficiently automate material handling within production and warehousing facilities. The product launch coincided with ForwardX’s appearance at CeMAT Asia last month, where the new products were on show for visitors to see.

Nicolas Chee, founder and CEO of ForwardX Robotics, says: “At ForwardX, our goal has always been to develop mature solutions that actually deliver real value right now. We understand that the manufacturing industry is a complex one with a variety of circumstances and pain points specific to each manufacturer. [Read more…] about ForwardX launches six new autonomous mobile robots

Five MiR500 AMRs Boost Warehouse Logistics for Novo Nordisk’s Pharmaceutical Plant in China

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Five MiR500 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have improved the warehouse logistics within the Chinese plant for Novo Nordisk, a leading global healthcare company specializing in pharmaceuticals and products to address diabetes and other serious chronic diseases. Previously, the plant used manned forklifts to transport pallets of packaging materials to a series of high bay racks, where a specialized fork truck then lifted and placed the pallets into the racks. The automated solutions from MiR have saved the plant at least 35 hours a week, freeing human workers to focus their skills on higher-value activities.

[Read more…] about Five MiR500 AMRs Boost Warehouse Logistics for Novo Nordisk’s Pharmaceutical Plant in China

AutoGuide Mobile Robots Opens New European Office

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AutoGuide Mobile Robots,  a leading manufacturer of high-payload autonomous mobile robot (AMR) systems, today announced the opening of a new European office. The office in Munich supports sales, service and support, as well as deployment and training, throughout greater Europe. Local staff will work closely with its European system integrators to meet increasing demand for AutoGuide’s innovative autonomous mobile robots.

“With a strong demand for our high-payload AMRs across the region, we felt expanding our European operation would deliver the highest level of support for our distributors and customers,” said Jan Nicolay, director for European Operations, AutoGuide. “Munich’s highly talented and efficient workforce, business-friendly climate and central location made it the ideal choice.” [Read more…] about AutoGuide Mobile Robots Opens New European Office

Autonomous Mobile Robots Deliver on the Promise of Safer Operations

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Rob Sullivan, President, AutoGuide Mobile Robots

You need to move material but moving that material is risky business. Ninety percent of all forklifts in the US will be in an accident during their useful life, and almost 35,000 people per year suffer severe injuries in forklift-related incidents.

Accidents happen and people are injured when a forklift driver’s view is obscured by the load they’re carrying. It happens all the time but there’s a better way.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Robots that can navigate autonomously along pre-determined paths using only the natural features of the facility. They have built-in sensors and LiDAR scanners that detect objects and personnel in their path to substantially reduce accidents of all kinds. [Read more…] about Autonomous Mobile Robots Deliver on the Promise of Safer Operations

Fetch Robotics integrates AMRs into Vargo’s warehouse execution system

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Fetch Robotics, a warehouse robotics company, has agreed a partnership with Vargo, a provider of warehouse execution software, and a plan to launch an integrated fulfillment solution.

The new solution will combine Fetch’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with Continuous Order Fulfillment Engine (Cofe), Vargo’s industry-leading warehouse execution system (WES), to enable distribution centers to optimize order fulfillment with the latest technology in real time.

The growth of e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment has pushed companies to optimize their order fulfillment processes to gain efficiencies and to do so with more speed and accuracy. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics integrates AMRs into Vargo’s warehouse execution system

The Five Things You Must Know Before Bringing AMRs into Your Operation

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Webinar title: The five things you must know before bringing AMRs into your operation
Early registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3016037557865/WN_QDI2ki-VRfGrRZSA5IpqYw

 

AutoGuide is partnering with Robotics and Automation News in their latest webinar. If you are thinking about bringing AMR’s into your operation there are a number of things you should be aware of. AMRs dramatically increase the efficiency and safety of your operation but what do you need to know before bringing them into your enterprise? The experts from AutoGuide will share their knowledge and experience on: [Read more…] about The Five Things You Must Know Before Bringing AMRs into Your Operation

Motor Controllers Used in Autonomous Mobile Robots

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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