Japanese media: Walking logistics robots to easily load and unload cargo

According to Japanese media reports, a well-known Japanese manufacturer has recently developed a new type of robot that can move and automatically load and unload cargoes in a logistics warehouse. With its two arms that can be moved flexibly, goods of various sizes, shapes and weights can be taken from the shelves and then transported.

Given that it is difficult for traditional robots to handle a wide variety of goods, this new robot can be easily handled. With the development of e-commerce, the demand for a small amount of goods for a variety of goods is expanding, and the manufacturers are striving to be put into use after two to three years.

Currently, transfer robots actually put into use in a logistics warehouse can continuously transport goods such as cartons of the same shape. However, it is still technically difficult to take out specific goods from the boxes on the shelves or to carry articles of various shapes. The new robot adopts a configuration in which two lift tables are mounted on a moving flatbed and then an operating arm type robot is mounted. One robot arm has an adsorption device at the top, and the other has two robot fingers at the top. After moving to the designated shelf, adjust the height of the lift table, confirm the goods with the camera installed on the robot arm, and then lift it up in a way that matches its shape and weight.

Since the entire structure includes a flatbed truck, two lift tables, and two robot arms, a total of five devices can realize diverse operations. But to work together, each device needs communication linkage. During operation, the flatbed vehicle travels while using the sensor to measure the distance to the rack, but only sends a signal to the robot arm when there is 1 meter left and the joint work is required. By reducing the amount of traffic, the speed of movement is increased. From the stop in front of the shelf to the removal of items in the box, it takes only 3 seconds to complete.

Japanese media pointed out that with the popularization of e-commerce, the demand for a small amount of various cargos is increasing, and robotic robots with strong operational capabilities are in great demand. The company will establish a system that can operate stably in actual warehouses. It will be used on the company's logistics warehouse first, and then it will be considered for sale to other companies.