MiR launches AI-enabled MiR1200 pallet jack

Robot manufacturer Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) recently announced the launch of its MiR1200 pallet jack autonomous mobile robot (AMR). With AI pallet detection powered by NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin, the MiR1200 pallet jack uses 3D machine vision to identify, pick up, and deliver pallets.

“We believe that the built-in AI detection system is a significant improvement over older detection technologies,” said Mads Paulin, vice president of R&D at MiR. “Our approach will reduce pick-and-place cycle times, deliver best-in-class pick accuracy and allow us to continuously deliver advanced, AI-based functionality and value to our customers.”

Pallet jack interoperable with MiR deck load AMRs

The MiR1200 pallet jack is designed to integrate with existing MiR AMR fleets and interoperate with MiR’s deck-load AMRs. MiR said offering a pallet jack enables it to market a single material handling system for large-scale enterprise customers who typically operate more complex workflows with larger fleets and multiple sites.

Jean-Pierre Hathout, president of MiR, said the MiR1200 pallet jack can work in brownfield sites “that present unique environmental challenges for automation.” The company’s robots can be integrated via the MiR Fleet fleet management tool, and monitored and optimized through MiR Insights.

“In the design of this robot, we have leveraged the accumulated expertise in software from MiR, and high-payload AMRs that are the result of MiR’s 2022 merger with AutoGuide,” said Hathout. “The MiR1200 pallet jacks’ robust tricycle drive system is developed through a partnership with Logitrans.”

Key features of the MiR1200 pallet jack include:

• AI-based detection powered by NVIDIA: trained on over 1.2 million real and synthetic images, which MiR said enables fast and precise pallet detection.
• High battery capacity and fast charging: with a charging ratio of 1:14 and the possibility of opportunity charging, the MiR1200 pallet jack is ideal for 24/7 workflows.
• Compliance with ISO safety standards: designed to comply with the latest robot safety standards for AMR products, including ISO 3691-4, ensuring safety in various environments.
• 3D sensors for obstacle detection: LiDAR and 3D machine vision are fused for precise detection of obstacles on the floor, overhead, and around the pallet jack, which MiR said ensures precise and secure pallet placement.
• Durable mobility: the IP 52 rated AMR and rugged wheels enable mobility over multiple challenging surfaces.

The MiR1200 is interoperable with MiR’s deck-load AMRs through the MiR Fleet fleet management tool, and can be monitored and optimized through MiR Insights. Source: Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR)

3D machine vision through NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin

Thanks to its 3D vision capabilities from NVIDIA, MiR said the MiR1200 pallet jack can address challenges many enterprises face with resource-intensive material handling, especially in complex environments that make automation difficult and where automation is needed due to increasing labor shortages.

The MiR1200 pallet jack can dynamically modify its route to avoid obstacles such as loose objects on the floor or overhead obstacles. It processes a large number of cameras and LiDAR data in real time by accelerating the full stack on the GPU and several other processors built into the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin module.

MiR said the MiR1200 pallet jack’s ability to navigate in tight spaces with minimal changes to the existing infrastructure makes it the perfect fit for optimizing logistics efficiency and ensuring timely delivery of pallets.

Teradyne Robotics, MiR’s parent company, also recently announced another partnership with NVIDIA through Universal Robots.

Want to learn more about machine vision? This article was featured in the August 2024 Robotics 24/7 Special Focus Issue titled “Machine vision to increase robot precision.”