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 characterized by standardized 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 minimize error and accident rates. Thanks to their compactness and
maneuverability, 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 standardized 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 maneuvers 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 drive 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
millimeters are possible as standard.
Trolleys
Trolleys that can be driven under with the C-MATIC enable standardized 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
optimized 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 1,000 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 standardized processes in
goods transport, increasing efficiency in warehouses and logistics centers.
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
minimize 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) optimize 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
maneuverability 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.
Linde Material Handling supports the automotive industry in the key
challenges of intralogistics: ensuring production flow, saving costs, using
automation, protecting the environment.
The main factory of the French metal packaging manufacturer Massilly in Cluny
relies on extensive automation in the production process. Until recently the
final process step, transporting the pallets to the warehouse, was conducted
manually. This task is now also being performed by automated industrial
trucks, with great success. Representatives of the company are now traveling
to Cluny to see for themselves the benefits of Linde robotics equipment.
Every year, the Marketing Department and Management Board of Wolf GmbH, a
systems supplier for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and solar
technology based in Mainburg, Lower Bavaria, develop a motto that aims to
give employees orientation and motivation. “Courage to embrace change”, the
message for 2016, could not be more appropriate with regard to the purchase
of the company’s first robot industrial truck.
Automation is one of the trending topics in intralogistics. In this
interview, Tobias Zierhut, Head of Product Management Warehouse Trucks,
explains why data will play a key role in the future of warehouse
technology, and why Linde Material Handling sees itself as the market leader
in robotics.
The Opel plant in Aspern, Austria, is the first Opel location to commission
fully automatic vehicles for longer distances. In doing so, the carmaker
relies entirely on Linde's expertise. The challenge was to integrate
autonomous driving into the existing systems.
Simple does not always mean trivial: proof of this is the automation project
of Linde Material Handling for BASF Italia. In order to optimize efficiency
and safety, a flexible, secure and fast-to-implement solution for Logistics
4.0 was integrated on the basis of an automated guided vehicle (AGV).
With the Robotics4Retail survey, the EHI Retail Institute is investigating
how robotics and automation are revolutionizing intralogistics. Who are the
drivers of automation and what comprehensive solutions and industrial trucks
does Linde offer?
At LogiMAT 2024 in Stuttgart, Linde Material Handling focussed on the topic
of automation. Other topics included energy, safety and warehouse
intelligence.
Automation promises greater efficiency in production logistics. However, in
some cases a manual or partially autonomous scenario can be more
cost-effective than fully autonomous operation. Digitalization expert Frank
Heptner explains what makes the difference.
