OTTO's 'Lifter' Robot Can Carry Pallets Through Dynamic Environments
Colin Smith — March 29, 2022 — Tech
References: ottomotors & zdnet
'OTTO Motors,' the company focused on creating autonomous mobile robot (AMR) solutions, has launched 'Lifter,' a smart robotic forklift. This forklift is compact, self-managed, and capable of performing various challenging tasks that previously required a human. While many AMRs have been created to automate production lines and other simple tasks through programmable robotic arms, OTTO stated that none have been able to "pick up a pallet on its own."
The Lifter solves this problem and goes beyond this simple expectation. Not only can the Lifter pick up and carry a pallet autonomously, but it can navigate through both predictable and structured environments as well as certain crowded and dynamic environments, safely. OTTO's Lifter has accurate sensors that cover 360-degree viewpoints, allowing it to stop itself from colliding with people or objects. When factoring in the operation cost of the Lifter, the robot's "wage" works out to approximately $9 USD per hour, which is quite affordable considering this is below the minimum wage for a human.
Image Credit: OTTO Motors
The Lifter solves this problem and goes beyond this simple expectation. Not only can the Lifter pick up and carry a pallet autonomously, but it can navigate through both predictable and structured environments as well as certain crowded and dynamic environments, safely. OTTO's Lifter has accurate sensors that cover 360-degree viewpoints, allowing it to stop itself from colliding with people or objects. When factoring in the operation cost of the Lifter, the robot's "wage" works out to approximately $9 USD per hour, which is quite affordable considering this is below the minimum wage for a human.
Image Credit: OTTO Motors
Trend Themes
1. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) for Warehousing - The Lifter from OTTO Motors demonstrates an opportunity for AMRs to take the lead in the automation of complex warehousing tasks beyond simple processes on production lines.
2. Smart Robotic Forklifts for Dynamic Environments - This technology provides a solution for efficient and safe automation of the movement of goods through unpredictable environments, which has previously been restricted by the limitations of human abilities.
3. 360-degree Sensing Technology for Safe Navigation - The use of 360-degree sensors in robotics opens up opportunities to enhance the safety of various autonomous applications, including forklifts, drones, and autonomous vehicles.
Industry Implications
1. Logistics - The Lifter and similar smart forklifts can revolutionize the tasks in warehouses and pose an opportunity for logistics providers to consider the development of similar machines for their operations.
2. Manufacturing - Manufacturing can take advantage of these AMRs to increase their speed and efficiency in the transportation of goods across dynamic and crowded environments in the factory floor.
3. Robotics - 360-degree sensors and other sensing technologies can introduce new innovation opportunities for robotics manufacturers to enhance the safety of autonomous machines beyond manufacturing or warehouses.
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