Robotize: Intelligent transport robot disrupts internal logistics

At LogiMAT March 2018, Robotize presents the autonomous transport robot GoPal for optimization of internal logistics. Implementation fits directly into an existing transport scheme and can be done within a day. GoPal is designed to collaborate with the company employees, navigates in a dynamic environment, and reach return on investment in 6 to 12 months.

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The GoPal robot solution makes it easy to automate pallet transport in a wide range of industries – either as part of Industry 4.0 automatization or on its own.

With the implementation of Industry 4.0, automated and digitalized production, internal transport is the natural next step for automation. Employees handling pallet jacks and forklifts to move material and finished goods around are common in many factories. This transport represents a small “slip” in data tracking where the goods are not 100% accounted for.

It does not have to be like this. Automation and digitalization are not only for the manufacturing process but can just as well be applied to the internal logistics process. AGVs and conveyors that need guidance with static defined tracks have for years been the expensive and only answer to this challenge. But today’s factories need flexibility and ability to make dynamic changes in their production setup and this is exactly what the autonomous transport robot GoPal provides.

The GoPal robot solution is extremely easy to install and use. The system fits into the existing pallet transport scheme and can be put into operation in less than a day. Due to its intelligent navigation and complete autonomy, it does not require any lines, fixed tracks, or hand-holding from the employees.

Data analytics and continuous optimization are part of the Industry 4.0 era. The GoPal solution offers extensive data collection that enables continuous optimization of the company logistics system and increases the company’s efficiency even further. Key figures – such as idle/active times, distance driven with or without load and average/maximum pickup latency – can be used to improve performance, eliminate transport bottlenecks and lower buffer stocks.

The GoPal robots are connected via WiFi to the GoControl server – the fleet management service of the system. As transport requirements increase, more GoPals can easily be added to the system. It is thus possible to start with a single robot to verify the benefits in a smaller area and then dynamically add more GoPal robots leaping to full automatization of the company’s pallet transport.