Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are becoming increasingly important in modern intralogistics. The driverless platform trucks are used for automated or partially automated goods transport and thereby noticeably increase efficiency in warehouses and logistics hotspots. With their low heights, they pass under transport racks and trolleys, or lift pallets from transfer racks, taking them to the defined destination independently. They detect and avoid any obstacles en route themselves. AMRs either use QR codes attached to the floor or laser-assisted natural feature navigation as orientation. With the autonomous C-MATIC and C-MATIC HP guided carts, Linde Material Handling offers compact AMR models for automated material flow.
Efficient material transport by autonomous mobile robots
Intralogistics today is increasingly characterised by standardised processes, whereby goods are always transported back to precise positions by means of short and medium-length routes. Autonomous mobile robots increase the efficiency of these processes significantly. They take over repetitive transport tasks from employees, shorten routes on foot (‘Goods to Person’ principle), increase handling capacity, and minimise error and accident rates. Thanks to their compactness and manoeuvrability, they take up no more space than the transported load, and they can also move efficiently in tight spaces. They can easily be integrated into existing processes and work seamlessly together with other automated components in the warehouse.
Always on the move: potential applications for AMRs
Depending on the model, autonomous mobile robots can move loads of up to 1500 kilograms per transport journey. The load can be picked up together with trolleys that can be driven under and set down anywhere in the room. Transport between static reloading stations or conveyor belts is also possible. Thanks to modern safety technology, AMRs can also be used in busy warehouse environments and heavily used loading zones. Various sensors monitor the entire truck surroundings at all times, in order to prevent collisions and ensure safe movement. Autonomous mobile robots are therefore able to work together with people and other trucks with ease, even in very tight spaces.
Advantages of AMR solutions at a glance
Load-bearing capacity of up to 1500 kilograms
Compact and versatile
Transports different load carriers
Effortless integration into existing processes
Maintenance-free lithium-ion technology
Mixed operation possible
Autonomous double pack: AMR from Linde Material Handling
With the C-MATIC and the C-MATIC HP, Linde Material Handling offers two autonomous mobile robots with different primary uses.
The C-MATIC uses QR codes attached to the floor as a guide for its routes. It is primarily suited to fully automated operation with short or medium-length transport routes. The truck is very compact and requires little space for picking up, transporting and setting down loads, which means that transfer stations and storage locations can be positioned very close together. Depending on the model, the C-MATIC can handle loads of 600, 1000, or 1500 kilograms. It is most frequently used in retail and in logistics, as the load carriers can be standardised into individual process steps.
The HP version of the C-MATIC is the ideal solution for partially automated processes in mixed operation. The truck works easily next to people, manual trucks and autonomous industrial trucks in the same process chain. The C-MATIC HP finds its routes using laser-assisted natural feature navigation. It transports loads of up to 1000 kilograms and is therefore able to find its way anywhere in the space, and avoid obstacles and other vehicles independently. Additional infrastructure is not necessary. The HP models are particularly well suited to production environments and 3PL providers, as different load carriers often need to be automated but also transported manually via the same routes here.
Safe, robust, efficient: The properties of the AMR models from Linde
The autonomous mobile robots from Linde are compact yet powerful vehicle solutions with which warehouse processes can be fully or partially automated. Here is an overview of the key product properties.
Safety
Thanks to their robust, continuous contact strip, the C-MATICs guarantee maximum safety with turning manoeuvres on the spot and when reversing. The autonomous mobile robots use laser scanners to permanently monitor their surroundings, so that they can quickly respond to obstacles such as people and trucks. It doesn’t make any difference whether these are moving or stationary obstacles. Data processing in real time allows the trucks to adjust their speed to the relevant situation or remain at a standstill until people and vehicles have left the hazardous area. Easy-to-reach emergency-stop switches on both sides of the truck also increase safety.
Handling
The C-MATIC navigates using QR codes, which are attached to the floor along the travel route and are saved as reference points on a digital map. Additional trolleys also feature QR codes which the C-MATIC can use to identify goods to be transported and assign them to the relevant storage and set-down location. The C-MATIC HP finds its way using natural feature navigation, which does not require any additional infrastructure. Thanks to this, the truck can quickly adapt to new routes and surroundings. If the job location changes, the truck can simply remap its surroundings. HP models are also able to avoid obstacles independently.
Efficiency
With both types of navigation, software calculates the optimum route for each transport order. Correct positioning of the load carrier is thereby possible, for example to set down material correctly on machinery. Thanks to intelligent fleet management, the trucks automatically travel to the self-charging station if their battery is low.
Servicing
Thanks to reliable technology and robust components, the autonomous mobile robots from Linde guarantee a high vehicle availability, which keeps servicing costs low over the complete life cycle. The autonomous platform trucks were consistently developed according to the ‘design-to-service’ principle. This means that service technicians can quickly access all relevant technical and mechanical components.
The ideal product for every task: AMR special equipment for perfect warehouse processes
Depending on the area of use and requirements, various special equipment is available for the autonomous mobile robots from Linde.
Adapter plate
AMRs from Linde can be fitted with optional adapter plates for direct transportation of pallets. They are available for the C-MATIC 10 and 15 models and have a load-bearing capacity of up to 1500 kilograms. This means that transfer heights of between 320 and 730 millimetres are possible as standard.
Trolleys
Trolleys that can be driven under with the C-MATIC enable standardised and flexible load handling. Goods can be transported on the trolleys either using pallets or without pallets. The transported load can be clearly identified and thereby tracked and managed efficiently via the QR code on the bottom of the trolleys.
Automatic charging station
If the truck battery charge is low, the autonomous mobile robot automatically locates the charging station and begins charging with no need for assistance. A full charge takes approximately 1.5 hours. Several AMR trucks of the same type can be charged with one charging station.
The P-MATIC autonomous electric tow tractor transports towing loads of between 3000 and 5000 kilograms and is ideal for warehouses and industrial companies.
This autonomous counterbalanced forklift truck has a cantilevered fork and is optimised for goods receipt at transfer stations that cannot be driven under.
The autonomous mobile transport robot Linde C-MATIC HP autonomously moves loads of up to 1000 kg over medium and long distances, without a permanently installed infrastructure.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions about autonomous mobile robots
What are autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)?
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are intelligent, driverless vehicles. They record their working environment and can navigate within it independently. They are suitable for the automation or partial automation of standardised processes in goods transport, increasing efficiency in warehouses and logistics centres.
How do autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) work?
An autonomous mobile robot (AMR) is able to transport goods from A to B without human intervention. Depending on the model, AMRs use different types of technology as a guide, such as track-guided navigation by means of QR codes or laser-assisted natural feature navigation. Autonomous mobile robots are generally designed as compact platform trucks. Thanks to their low heights, they can pass directly under transport racks and trolleys, or lift pallets from transfer racks, taking them to the defined destination independently.
Where are autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) used?
Generally, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are used primarily in logistics and in industrial environments to automate delivery and transport processes. Depending on the model, they can move loads of between 600 and 1500 kilograms. They can even be used in mixed operation, whereby they are involved in complex processes alongside people and other vehicles.
When is an AMR (autonomous mobile robot) considered autonomous?
AMR vehicles are classified as autonomous if they can complete tasks independently without the need for human intervention. However, the tasks to be completed must already be known and clearly defined. There are different approaches for controlling AMRs. In some, the control software is located on the vehicle itself, while in others the robots are integrated into a central control system that coordinates transport jobs and calculates optimum routes for any task.
What are the benefits of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)?
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) increase handling capacity and thereby reduce goods handling times. At the same time, they reduce error and accident rates and minimise staff injuries as well as damage to goods and infrastructure. AMRs are compact and versatile, as they do not take up more room than the transported load carrier. This means that they are also fully efficient in tight spaces. In addition to the high cost efficiency, AMRs can also compensate for staff shortages, as employees are deployed elsewhere to carry out value-adding tasks. They can be easily integrated into existing processes and adapted in terms of quantity and configuration to meet the needs of the site.
How can autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) optimise supply chains?
AMRs achieve the greatest gains in efficiency in areas in which monotonous warehouse and transport tasks are continuously repeated. The driverless robots free up employees from tedious, time-consuming transport tasks that do not add value. They can be integrated into warehouse logistics across shifts, in round-the-clock operation. Freed-up staff can then be deployed in another, more productive, area. Furthermore, they provide increased transparency and manoeuvrability in the flow of goods.
What tasks do autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) complete?
Nowadays, there are barely any limits to the possible uses for AMRs. They are particularly widespread in industrial applications, such as for warehouse transport or supplying production lines. They are becoming more and more important in logistics and intralogistics, too.
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