Fox Robotics Inc. yesterday released the third generation of its FoxBot autonomous forklift, the Mark 3, or FoxBot Mk3. The company said it is expanding the FoxBot’s capabilities to cover more applications and serve new and different industries with autonomous dock workflows.
“Fox Robotics is the unequivocal leader in dock autonomy today, demonstrated by the new technology and capabilities we’ve built into the third-generation FoxBot,” said Marin Tchakarov, president and CEO of Fox Robotics. “Breakthrough software and hardware innovations on the Mk3 provide warehouse and distribution centers in new industries like manufacturing and industrial distribution the opportunity to capitalize on the productivity and labor savings the FoxBot ATL provides.”
Founded in 2017, Fox Robotics automates pallet workflows to improve workplace safety and warehouse productivity across the U.S. and Canada. The Austin, Texas-based company is backed by investments from BMW i Ventures and Zebra Technologies Corp.
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FoxBot Mk3 can pick more pallet types
Fox Robotics said the FoxBot Mk3 has four new major capabilities:
- Autonomous trailer loading
- Auto-adjusting fork tines that accommodate new load profiles
- Additional software integrations to connect warehouse workflows
- An expanded sensor suite to enhance safe and efficient movement throughout the warehouse
The automated forklift now has trailer-loading capabilities in addition to unloading. This allows operators to fully automate inbound and outbound dock operations. It can autonomously pics, move, and load or unload single or double-stacked pallets into and out of trailers.
The Mk3 uses onboard cameras and lidar sensors to identify pallets and detect obstacles in real time. Fox Robotics said it expanded the sensor suite on the Mk3 to improve its ability to dynamically track and understand its surroundings. This allows it to work safely in the warehouse environment, it claimed.
Using trained visual perception models, the FoxBot ATL can pick pallets in any orientation from trailers it has never seen before, Fox added. It then places them on receiving floors that can dynamically change over time.
The Mk3 can also handle pallets that are single-stacked, double-stacked, or stacked in pyramid loads, as well as pallets wrapped with plastic.
With new cameras built into the Mk3’s mast, it can identify pallet pockets and adjust the width of its fork tines automatically. This allows it to pick up pallets in any orientation from trailers it has never seen before.
In addition, the latest FoxBot can adapt to a variety of load types and pallet configurations, without needing to manually reposition the forks. This makes it suitable for factories and warehouses, said Fox Robotics.
New forklift connects with conveyors
Fox Robotics said new software integrations empower warehouse operators to create sophisticated warehouse environments. The Mk3 can pick up or drop off pallets from elevated conveyors, the staging floor, and trailers. It can also automatically move them between automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) and conveyors.
Operators can connect the forklift, or a whole fleet of them, to a warehouse management system (WMS). This allows the forklifts to collaborate with other automation and robotics.
Fox Robotics listed more capabilities for the FoxBot Mk3:
- Unloads over 50 double-stacked or 25 single-stacked 40- by 48-in. (101.6 by 121.9 cm) pallets in less than an hour
- Detects and avoids obstacles using 360-degree monitoring supported by lidars and cameras
- Features fully redundant safety braking to prevent collisions and enhance worker safety
- Works up to 16-18-hour shifts in a single battery charge
- Connects to cellular and Wi-Fi networks to deploy and start work within a few hours
The company will show the FoxBot Mk3 next week at ProMat in Booth N7963 in the North Building of Chicago’s McCormick Place.
