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Cellular Industrial Robotics (MiR) and Logitrans A/S have teamed as much as construct autonomous pallet jacks. The businesses plan to mix MiR’s autonomous navigation and software program capabilities with Logitran’s electrical pallet jacks. The plan is to make each a totally autonomous pallet jack and a semi autonomous pallet jack.

MiR already has robots that may transport pallets, however they require particular pallet racks or integration of equipment. MiR stated its clients have been requesting AMRs that may choose up and ship pallets from the bottom.

“Our mission has at all times been to rework the way in which firms deal with inner logistics to allow them to be extra productive and aggressive—and this new initiative is one other big step ahead in doing so,” stated Søren E. Nielsen, president of MiR. “Combining our software program competencies with Logitrans’ a long time of {hardware} information will assist us to shortly fill this hole in order that we are able to help our clients all through their total worth chain.”

In August 2021, MiR launched two heavy-duty AMRs, including to its present line of decrease capability AMRs. The launch put MiR’s highest payload capability at 3,000 lbs (1350 kg). MiR’s excessive capability AMRs can choose up pallets, however solely from specifically-designed racks. MiR stated the collaboration with Logitran will assist it to higher serve clients which have been asking about an AMR that may choose up pallets from the bottom.

MiR already has AMRs that may choose up pallets, however they require particular pallet racks.

Teradyne stacking up pallet-moving robots

Teradyne, an automated take a look at gear provider, now owns two robotics firms creating robots to maneuver pallets. MiR and AutoGuide Cellular Robots, which Teradyne acquired in October 2019 for $58 million. AutoGuide focuses solely on heavy-duty AMRs and already has a robotic for shifting pallets – an autonomous forklift.

A supply instructed The Robotic Report that MiR has been engaged on a pallet-moving robotic previous to Teradyne’s acquisition of AutoGuide. The supply stated, “this was one thing MiR knew they needed to handle early on in its historical past and sought out buyer enter.”

On the time of the acquisition, Teradyne stated AutoGuide’s AMRs would complement MiR’s line of light-duty AMRs. In 2019, MiR’s highest payload was 2,204 lbs (1000 kg), whereas AutoGuide’s highest was 10,000 lbs.

AutoGuide Cellular Robots’ autonomous forklift. | Photograph Credit score: AutoGuide Cellular Robots

Nevertheless, AutoGuide has gone by way of a reset in 2021. In April, AutoGuide president and CEO Rob Sullivan resigned. Tim Moriarity, Teradyne’s president of reminiscence merchandise, stepped in to take his place.

Income for Teradyne’s industrial automation group, which additionally consists of Energid and Common Robots, declined 6% in 2020 to $280 million. MiR grew 1% with gross sales of $45 million and, on a professional forma foundation, AutoGuide additionally grew. Teradyne’s industrial automation group’s income has, thus far, rebounded from its dip in 2020. By way of the primary three quarters of 2021, the group has generated $263-plus million in income.

“When these AMR pallet jacks come to market, firms can depend on MiR as an answer supplier for many of their intralogistics wants,” Nielsen added. “Collaborating with Logitrans will assist us meet the rising calls for for these choices even sooner, which in flip will assist our clients attain their enterprise targets.”