Autonomous mobile robot (AMR) provider Pudu Robotics recently announced the launch of its first robot designed expressly for industrial applications - the PUDU T300, which debuted at Hannover Messe 2024.
PUDU said its T300 features maneuverability with an ability to navigate efficiently through narrow passageways commonly found in industrial facilities. The PUDU T300 also includes “map-and-go” functionality that allows for immediate use without network connectivity.
The company said manufacturers worldwide are struggling to adapt to changing market demands and production variability. As a result, creating more agile, responsive and flexible production lines has become crucial.
The PUDU T300 is specifically designed to fill this need in the material handling and internal logistics of discrete manufacturing, handling conveyance tasks like delivering supplies to production lines, transferring materials between different production areas, and assisting in the delivery of samples for quality control inspection.
SLAM navigation allows flexible operations
PUDU said its T300 is designed to alleviate potential labor shortages by automating the delivery and transport of materials, allowing human workers to focus on more skilled and higher-value tasks. By taking over the transportation of heavy or hazardous materials, the PUDU T300 can also improve safety by reducing the risk of workplace injuries associated with industrial work.
“There is a huge demand from industrial clients for automated, flexible robotics solutions that can operate continuously to meet high production rates and improve operational efficiency,” said Felix Zhang, Pudu Robotics founder and CEO. “As manufacturers struggle to attract and retain talent, the T300 fills the immediate gap by seamlessly integrating with facilities’ current processes as well as optimizing operations to spur sector-wide innovation.”
The PUDU T300 is built on the company's proprietary PUDU VSLAM+ simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technology, a visual positioning system that the company said enables marker-free navigation. This machine vision system ensures the PUDU T300 can quickly adapt to changes in production layouts without the need for reconfiguration or site remodeling.
PUDU T300 features include:
- Maneuverability: The PUDU T300 can navigate spaces as slim as 23.6 inches, and cross 0.7 inch thresholds and 1.3 inch gutters.
- Navigation and Deployment: The PUDU T300 supports a fusion of laser SLAM and visual SLAM for positioning, providing environmental adaptability, especially in high-ceiling factory scenarios. The robot can update its map in real-time based on actual site changes.
- loT Capabilities: PUDU T300 includes interoperability features such as secure door access, elevator control, a self-configuring network with call options, and production line material requests via an app to integrate into production processes.
- Multimodal Interaction: Operation indicator lights and traffic signal light design display the PUDU T300’s position and cruising intentions, with collaborative robot features including customizable buttons and audible alerts.
- Charging: The PUDU T300 features automatic recharging and quick battery swapping capabilities, allowing for continuous 24/7 operation.
- Safety Compliance: The PUDU T300 adheres to ISO 3691-4 Industrial Safety Requirements and includes lidar, depth camera, collision protection edges, and emergency stop buttons.
PUDU said its T300 can be used to improve production lines across the entire manufacturing sector, including 3C electronics manufacturers, automotive parts processing facilities, metalworking, and semiconductor fabrication plants.
In addition to its latest materials conveyance robot, PUDU also produces robots for food and beverage retail, restaurant order delivery, as well as cleaning service industry applications.
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.”
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