Cartken Inc., which previously specialized in last-mile delivery, yesterday announced the launch of Cartken Hauler, which it described as “a robust, highly maneuverable robot with increased payload capacity.” The Oakland, Calif.-based company designed the system to automate material handling in mixed outdoor/indoor environments for manufacturing facilities, warehouses, distribution centers, corporate campuses, and life sciences environments.
“Today’s intralogistics operations demand material handling solutions that can adapt seamlessly across environments. Cartken Hauler does exactly that,” said Christian Bersch, co-founder and CEO of Cartken. “We are building on our autonomous robot technology and AI models trained on hundreds of thousands of last-mile delivery miles.
“We now transfer this technology to industrial and onsite logistics automation, meeting our customers’ demand for a robust robotic transport solution that can operate in more challenging environments and is much faster to deploy than traditional mobile robots,” he continued. “The Hauler represents a new era of material handling—one that offers cost-effective indoor and outdoor goods movement without special infrastructure.”
With this launch, Cartken said its focus is growing beyond last-mile delivery. The company said it aims to tackle a critical gap in industrial and onsite logistics automation: seamless material handling across complex, mixed environments, multiple levels, and diverse terrains.
Cartken designed its hauler for industries that demand dynamic, efficient material transport, handling everything from inventory and samples to tools and documents. It combines advanced AI-powered, camera-based autonomy with ruggedized all-terrain capabilities to ensure reliable operation in demanding environments while navigating safely around people.
Founded in 2019, Cartken came out of stealth mode in March 2021, when it announced a partnership with REEF Technology to make deliveries in downtown Miami. Until now, the company has specialized in autonomous sidewalk robots for food deliveries.
Key features of the Carken Haulter
Cartken listed some key features of the Cartken Hauler:
- All-terrain capability: The new robot smoothly navigates uneven concrete, gravel, pebbles, grass, asphalt, dirt, tile, and carpet for indoor and outdoor operations.
- All-weather and day/night navigation: It operates reliably in rain, sun, snow, and extreme temperatures from -4°F to 122°F (-20°C to +50°C). Advanced perception sensors enable navigation in any lighting conditions, 24/7.
- Integration with existing systems: Cartken said its hauler can make fully autonomous end-to-end deliveries across multiple floor levels, with integration for elevators, gates, doors, and software systems.
- Robust performance:
- Load capacity of 660 lb. (300 kg) on flat surfaces and 550 lb. (250 kg) on 10° slopes.
- Top speed of 4.5 mph (7.2 kph) with a zero-point turning radius and omni-directional steering.
- Autonomous charging dock with more than 16 hours of runtime and a four-hour recharge time.
- Flexible cargo options: The system is available with a flat base, shelf, enclosed, and temperature-controlled compartments capable of maintaining from -112°F to +212°F (-80°C to +100°C).
- Fast and infrastructure-free deployment: The Cartken Hauler can be fully operational within seven days. The company added that it fits right into existing operations with no major modifications required.
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Cartken hopes to fill a gap left by AMRs, AGVs
The company said traditional mobile robots often lack the flexibility required for complex industrial environments. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) operate on fixed paths guided by wires, magnets, or ground markings. This means they cannot adapt routes on the fly, requiring heavy infrastructure investment and offering little flexibility when workflows change.
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), on the other hand, feature dynamic path planning using onboard sensors but are typically limited to 2D indoor navigation. They demand medium infrastructure investment and have limited capabilities to operate outdoors.
Both types of robots share a weakness: they struggle with uneven ground, ramps, curbs, and weather-exposed areas, said Cartken.
“Unlike traditional mobile robots, Cartken Hauler was designed to overcome these challenges from the start,” added Bersch. “It offers the flexibility and robustness that industrial players need to manage material handling seamlessly across outdoor and indoor environments.”
