Linde gave a sneak peek of its humanoid robots at LogiMAT

LINDE ALSO introduced the new Linde I-MATIC core series, which is designed for specialised applications in various industrial sectors. These AGVs are available with various attachments, such as single double forks or paper clamps, and can move heavy loads of up to 4.0 tons to lifting heights of up to 6.7 metres.

Using a tablet, trade show visitors told “Carl,” the humanoid robot, whether they would like a bottle of water or Coke. After receiving the order, Carl set off along the optimal route to the shelf.

The project, undertaken as part of the KION Group, is in the early stages of development. The current focus is on strategic learning, which is taking place at KION’s various global development sites in close collaboration with partners. “With the Linde RoCAP, we are already offering a mature vehicle featuring an intelligent robotic arm with a gripping device that uses AI to recognize and pick packages from shelves. Our goal in humanoid robotics is to combine advanced AI with refined mechanics so that tasks in the warehouse can be performed that go far beyond the current scope,” said Jan-Niklas Freund, manager of automation sales steering at Linde MH.

A broader range of solutions to meet growing demand

In recent years, the use of automation solutions in companies has grown, as have the demands placed on them. For instance, many companies in the beverage industry require the ability to load and unload two pallets simultaneously and autonomously using a single-double fork setup. In the paper industry, paper clamps are an essential tool for handling heavy paper rolls. Such cases necessitate the use of robust AGVs with higher residual load capacities that can adapt to various applications. The Linde I-MATIC AC core, an autonomous pallet stacker showcased at LogiMAT, features cantilever forks capable of transporting closed load carriers and picking up goods at transfer stations, such as roller conveyors, that cannot be driven under by wheel arms.

This robust counterbalance vehicle is designed to lift loads of up to 4.0 tons with a load centre of gravity of 600 millimetres to a height of four meters, or loads of up to 3.5 tons to a height of 6.7 metres. Various attachments are available that transform these autonomous heavyweights into multifunctional logistics assistants. Other models in the series are engineered for deep-freeze warehouses with ambient temperatures as low as -25°C, or feature specialised load carriers, such as for maneuvering goods in wide-aisle warehouses and supplying production lines with materials or removing finished products. Another model even features an integrated conveyor belt, allowing it to pick up and set down load carriers both from the side and front. Though customised in design, all vehicles meet industry standards and are developed and manufactured in-house. With regard to software, the vehicles are based on the MATIC:move+ platform and are coordinated by the Linde Warehouse Manager. This software solution handles control, routing and transfer within the autonomous goods flow.