Manufacturing and logistics operations are no exception when it comes to charging digital transformation.
The automation techniques being adopted by MiR in its latest offering, the MiR1200 Pallet Jack, is setting the pace in future minimal requirements in warehousing and logistics in the U.S. market.
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According to Jane Heffner, vice president of sales, Americas, Teradyne Robotics, the MiR1200 was introduced into Europe’s logistics sector about a year ago to address the need for reliable, high-precision pallet handling in an environment that has historically posed a challenge for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
Object Detection Enhancements for Dynamic Environments
The MiR1200 carries loads up to 1,200 kg. It uses the same dual LiDAR scanners used across MiR platforms. For this model, MiR integrated new AI-driven perception technology (through its collaboration with NVIDIA), said Todd Wilson, application project manager for MiR.
The system combines five RGB cameras, a 3D LiDAR and MiR’s two safety scanners to detect obstacles from floor level to overhead. Even small items on the ground will be detected, recognized and avoided, he said.
Instead of relying on detecting the pallet’s fork pockets, the system now “learns” and recognizes the entire pallet, said Wilson. This capability allows the robot to locate and pick pallets even when part of the pallet is obstructed, shrink-wrapped or out of position.
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Other AMRs or AGVs that rely on simple 2D LiDAR systems are limited in their ability to detect shrink-wrapped or damaged pallets, Wilson said.
In addition to standard floor-to-floor operations, the MiR1200 can handle pick-and-place heights up to about 85 cm. An IP52 rating ensures durability against dust and debris, or uneven surfaces, which reduces maintenance and downtime.
MiR also added a low-jam detection feature. If the robot senses resistance or detects that the pallet is shifting during pickup, it automatically stops, reverses and retries the pickup. It sends an alert to notify operators if the issue persists.
Wilson stated that the added features prevent damage to the pallet, the load and the robot itself.
Ruggedized for Packaging, Warehousing and Logistics Needs
For Heffner, the accelerating shift toward automation in the warehousing and logistics sectors is accelerating. Having an autonomous mobile robot that can not only pick and place but also recognize safety conditions and make decisions based on pallet type or placement is critical in these dynamic environments, she said.
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“In a warehouse, pallets aren’t always uniform,” Heffner added. “Through AI, we’re enabling the pallet jack to interpret data, and [in real time adapt to variations and operate accurately] in that environment.”
