Among the many exhibitors of autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, at ProMat last week was Ati Motors. The company said its Sherpa Lifter and Sherpa XT Lite are designed to “transform” materials handling processes.
Booth visitors in Chicago had an opportunity to learn how these AMRs can cost-effectively streamline warehouse operations and enhance productivity.
“The Sherpa Lifter and Sherpa XT Lite represent the future of warehouse automation, offering unparalleled efficiency, flexibility, and reliability for manufacturing facilities and distribution centers,” stated Ati Motors.
Founded in 2017, Ati Motors has developed mobile robots with artificial intelligence. Inspired by self-driving cars, the company has developed systems for manufacturing facilities.
Ati’s product range includes tugs, bin movers, pallet movers, and lifting platforms. Its said its flagship Sherpa Tug, which features 3D navigation and outdoor capabilities, has logged more than 500,000 km (310,000 mi.) across over 50 factories. The company serves global leaders in automotive, appliances, aerospace, and electronics sectors.Â
In January 2025, Ati Motors raised $20 million in Series B funding, bringing its total investment to date to more than $37 million. It said it plans to expand its presence in the U.S., India, and Southeast Asia.
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Sherpa Lifter provides power in tight spaces
Ati Motors described its Sherpa Lifter as “an advanced AMR engineered to easily transport pallets, trolleys, racks, and magazines.” The robot‘s customizable design makes it compatible with tunneling, lifting, and roller-top applications.
The company claimed that the Sherpa Lifter is “the world’s first lifter with a dual 3D lidar-based natural navigation system, ensuring precise movement and obstacle avoidance.”
The Sherpa Lifter measures 1,200 x 800 x 275 mm (47.2 x 31.4 x 10.8 in.) weighs about 350 kg (771 lb.), and can reach a maximum speed of 1.5 m/s (3.3 mph). It boasts a lifting capacity of 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lb.) and a lifting stroke of 100 mm (3.9 in.).
The bi-directional travel capability enables efficient movement in tight spaces, while the long-lasting 48V NMC lithium-Ion battery provides a 9-hour run time with a 2-hour charging time.
Ati Motors designs XT Lite for smooth operation
Also on display at ProMat was the Sherpa XT Lite, an autonomous electric tug designed to move trolley payloads up to 1,400 kg (3,086 lb.). Ati Motors said users can easily integrate this AMR with their existing workflows.
The Sherpa XT Lite features auto un-hitch functionality and obstacle avoidance, ensuring smooth operations in various environments. With a maximum speed of 1.5 m/s (3.3 mph), 100 mm (3.9 in.) ground clearance, and compact size of 1,395 x 640 x 1,096 mm (54.9 x 25.1 x 43.1 in.), the Sherpa XT Lite offers efficient performance in both indoor and outdoor settings, asserted Ati.
Its swappable 48V NMC lithium-Ion battery provides an 8-hour run time, allowing for extended operation across multiple shifts. The Sherpa XT Lite can operate on inclines and handle twilight and dark mode operations, the company said.
Both the Sherpa Lifter and Sherpa XT Lite offer features that set them apart in the material handling sector, claimed Ati Motors. They are Industry 4.0-ready and can integrate with manufacturing information systems (MIS) and warehouse management systems (WMS).
The Sherpa AMRs’ natural navigation eliminates the need for infrastructure changes during implementation, Ati added. They can operate in various low-light environments thanks to their adaptive lighting systems, and continuous over-the-air (OTA) updates to software keep the robots at peak performance, it said.
In addition, Ati Motors offers its Fleet Manager for comprehensive control and optimization of both AMRs. It said the software offers traffic management, analytics, scheduling, and diagnostics. This enables enabling efficient coordination of multiple robots in complex warehouse and manufacturing environments, according to Ati.
