LG Business Solutions USA’s latest autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, for warehouse use are making their debut at MODEX in Atlanta next week. The LG CLOi CarryBot family is designed to navigate complex floor plans to move and deliver payloads in customizable configurations, with loading and unloading performed by workers, said the company.
LG Electronics’ Business Solutions USA division already provides AMRs to transport products, guide customers, deliver food and beverages, and provide information in commercial settings. The Lincolnshire, Ill.-based company said it aims to set a new standard for warehouse efficiency and flexibility with the LG CLOi CarryBots. It claimed that they can reduce lead times and enhance efficiency for warehouses of any size.Â
“The new LG CLOi CarryBot can immediately begin solving warehouse inefficiencies by providing on-time movements and consistent, reliable operation that allows workers to stay within their zones and increase productivity,” stated Tom Bingham, senior director of LG Business Solutions USA. “CLOi CarryBot offers seamless package movement and delivery within a warehouse and eliminates the need for workers to physically transport packages.”
CLOi CarryBot designed to streamline product movement
The CarryBot features LG’s advanced platform for autonomous navigation, the latest Wi-Fi capabilities, ergonomic hardware design, an intuitive fleet management system, and an efficiency-boosting material-control system to optimize order distribution and scheduling.
LG asserted that its new AMRs can streamline product movement and adjust to real-world situations while reducing physical strain on workers. It can reach a top speed of 2.7 mph (1.2 mps) and has a typical runtime of 18.5 hours. Autonomous dark charging for the robot takes six hours.
The company added that CarryBot combines these hardware capabilities with software and machine learning, allowing integration with various facets of warehouse management systems (WMSes). This can include material control, fleet management, and robot management systems.
According to LG, interfacing with material control systems enables smart order grouping, picking item categorization, order information distribution, and total picking cooperation support. This includes notations of shortages or skipped items.
Fleet management integration also provides path-planning for multi-AMR users, intelligent fleet navigation and prioritization, traffic balancing and detouring, obstacle avoidance, and automated return for dock charging. On the back end, LG’s robot management system can provide managers with instant access to location information, AMR status, alerts for abnormal interactions, and statistical data to support decision-making.
LG aims to maximize flexibility with CarryBot features
LG’s Mounting Type CLOi CarryBot features two shelves that are 76.2 cm (30 in.) wide and 41.91 cm (16.5 in.) deep. The company said this makes the mobile robot suitable for smaller package needs or use in tight paces.
CarryBot also features a front-facing 23.37-cm (9.2-in.) touchscreen and an integrated holder for barcode scanners to make inventory scanning easier than ever, said LG.
The company also offers a Rolltainer Type CLOi CarryBot, which combines the autonomous abilities of CLOi CarryBot with the large platform of a traditional rolling container. This version offers an enhanced payload capacity through the use of two shelves that can accommodate packages up to 73.66 cm (29 in.) wide and 48.26 cm (19 in. deep). In this version, the touchscreen is rear-mounted for easy accessibility.Â
“LG CLOi robots have already proven their navigation and automation prowess in a variety of industries and environments, and now warehouse owners and managers can shift their operations to more automated routines to improve efficiency and enhance daily productivity,” Bingham said.
The CLOi CarryBot can be programmed for various floor plans, according to LG. Users can customize pickup and delivery points, which enables precise navigation, multi-point deliveries, and AI-enhanced decision-making that streamlines deliveries when multiple AMRs are servicing a single zone.
At the end of its “shift,” or when power is low, the LG CLOi CarryBot can automatically return to a designated multi-AMR charging dock.