Autonomous Storage and Retrieval System

AutoGuide has announced two products designed to enable warehouses and manufacturing facilities of all sizes be able to utilize a cost effective mobile autonomous storage and retrieval system. They are the AutoGuide Mobile (Mobile ASRS) and AutoGuide MAX-N High Bay.

Mobile ASRS

"With our Mobile ASRS, what used to be automated and heavy is now autonomous and light," said Rob Sullivan, President and CEO, AutoGuide. "Mobile ASRS can be rolled out in a matter of weeks-not months-and bring autonomous efficiency to smaller footprints across the facility floor, from staging and buffering zones to lineside. This can lead to an extremely fast ROI."

According to the company, AutoGuide Mobile ASRS will deliver precision inventory management without complex, costly infrastructure installations. Mobile ASRS works with existing racking systems and pallets. In addition, AutoGuide autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) bring facility-wide freedom to automation strategies, so facility managers do not have to restrict storage and retrieval operations to specific, crane-only zones.

SurePath Enterprise software, included with Mobile ASRS, defines the most efficient travel route for each job. It also includes inventory management software that connects with existing warehouse management system (WMS) and inventory management applications to keep precise track of all inventory and facility-specific storage requirements.

To deploy AutoGuide Mobile ASRS, most operations will need:

• Their existing facility-no new racking systems, custom pallets or dedicated storage and retrieval zones required.
• AutoGuide high-payload AMRs, selected based on facility needs. Choices include the MAX-N Pallet Stacker, the MAX-N Tugger, and AutoGuide's newest AMR, the MAX-N High Bay autonomous forklift.
• SurePath Enterprise fleet control software, which connects with the facility WMS and inventory management applications to view orders received and keep exact track of all the inventory throughout the facility.

"With traditional ASRS technology, material at the receiving dock is transported by a manually operated forklift to a conveyor system, which then delivers the material into the ASRS infrastructure," said a company spokesperson. "With AutoGuide Mobile ASRS, once the material comes off the truck, a collaborative team of AMRs-connected to detailed inventory storage processes-takes over to get the material exactly where it belongs."

Fully Autonomous Robotic High Bay Forklift

The new AutoGuide MAX-N High Bay is an autonomous counterbalanced forklift that can travel up to 4 MPH and lift 2,400 lb. payloads up to 36' high.

The MAX-N High Bay is designed to work seamlessly with existing warehouse infrastructure so there is no need to invest in new racking systems or pallets, and installation can be complete in weeks. Like all AutoGuide AMRs, the MAX-N High Bay exceeds ANSI safety standards and travels along a network of approved, predictable paths to decrease workplace risk for employees in shared workspaces.

Using SurePath Enterprise software, MAX-N High Bays receive data from existing order management and warehouse management systems (WMS) and can be quickly deployed to complete a wide array of high bay operations. SurePath Enterprise defines the most efficient route for each job.

The MAX-N High Bay is one of multiple high-payload adapters designed to fit the MAX-N Base AMR. With a change of adapters, the base AMR is converted from a high bay forklift to a pallet stacker or tow tractor.

Key features of the MAX-N High Bay:

• High-tech LiDAR scanners and SLAM technologies map the facility in real time for no-tape-required navigation and obstacle detection-even in low-light conditions.
• Smart pallet and rack detection sensors offer precision picking, providing the ability to identify empty pallets and track down a specific LPN among a full stack of pallets.
• Non-contact collision avoidance technology protects employees and built-in sensors detect overhung obstacles for safer autonomous lifting in narrow aisles.
• A flexible on-board touchscreen allows floor workers to quickly switch to manual mode.
• Counterbalance mechanics built into the base AMR allow it to drive right up to the rack for faster picking and placing on tall storage racks.

With inventory management software, the MAX-N High Bay becomes part of the new AutoGuide ASRS inventory management software.

For more information contact:

AutoGuide Mobile Robots

2 Omni Way

Chelmsford, MA 01824

978-250-4712

www.agmobilerobots.com