Vecna Robotics Updates Autonomous Forklift Hardware and Software

As warehouses add automation, they need more capable and integrated automation. Vecna Robotics today announced a major software release and hardware upgrades to its AFL-class autonomous forklift.

The warehouse automation market will double over the next five years, estimated LogisticsIQ. A survey conducted by Modern Materials Handling (a sibling site to Robotics 24/7) found that 15% to 20% of warehouses are currently using robotic palletizers and stretch wrappers, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), and other conveyor-fed automation for palletized loads.

The need for flexible material handling equipment that can seamlessly integrate with robotic packaging and storage systems will only continue to grow, said Vecna Robotics. It noted that these workflows can account for 10% to 15% of activities in a typical warehouse and up to 70% of manufacturing production time.

Updates focus on low-lift workflows

The Waltham, Mass.-based company said the new capabilities expand its reach within warehouse and factory floors by further optimizing transport between other machinery and equipment, with a specific focus on low-lift workflows. The update supports inbound staging to ASRS induction.

It also enables the delivery of materials between workcells and ergonomic lift stands for work-in-process flows, as well as extraction from robotic palletizers and stretch wrappers for outbound staging, said Vecna.

“This upgrade to our AFL platform is a response to customer need to automate more workflows -- including low lift with conveyors and risers -- in the midst of persistent labor shortages,” stated Anthony Moschella, senior vice president of product management at Vecna Robotics.

“The ability to coordinate autonomous material transport with other automated systems and common warehouse equipment is the first critical step in our mission to help warehousing and manufacturing re-balance their worker-robot mix and free up labor for more valuable tasks,” he added.

Vecna AFL designed to improve efficiency

The Vecna AFL, which has a 3,000 lb. capacity and lift up to 60 in., was designed to optimize work-in-process, packaging, and finished goods workflows. It provides autonomous material handling to and from conveyors, risers, and third-party automated or semi-automated equipment.

Vecna Robotics said its AFL can help improve efficiency and reduce costs by up to 30% for these common workflows while maintaining more than 99% uptime in autonomous mode via Vecna’s Pivotal Command Center.

The major release and AFL upgrade include the following features, according to Vecna:

• Better forklift performance and vision with next-generation fork carriage sensor fusion that supports enhanced smart payload identification capabilities, improved adjustments to misaligned pallets, and real-time remote camera views of the forks through Pivotal
• Smoother navigation in tight spaces with new compact bumper design
• More flexible integration mechanisms including tablet user interfaces, APIs with leading warehouse management systems (WMSes) such as Manhattan and BlueYonder, and built-in barcode scanners for payload verification
• Advanced orchestration with dynamic mission planning and swapping that allows Pivotal to immediately reroute and re-task robots as needed to deliver the right payload to the right location at the right time

Vecna Robotics to exhibit at Pack Expo

Vecna Robotics offers more information about how Vecna AFL can help warehouse operators maximize throughput at www.vecnarobotics.com/AFL. The company will be exhibiting at Pack Expo in Chicago next week at Booth N-6366 in McCormick Place's North Building.

With systems engineered for seamless work between autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and labor, equipment, and facilities, Vecna Robotics claimed it provides flexible, intelligent materials handling automation. The company's portfolio includes self-driving forklifts, pallet trucks, pallet jacks and tuggers -- powered by its Pivotal orchestration software and 24/7/365 Command Center.

It said they can help distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing organizations automate their most critical workflows, maximize throughput, and scale operations fast.