Robotics

Lynx autonomous indoor vehicle promises materials handling boost

Lynx autonomous indoor vehicle promises materials handling boost
The Adept Lynx autonomous indoor vehicle is able to self-navigate through dynamic environments, as it carries a payload from point to point
The Adept Lynx autonomous indoor vehicle is able to self-navigate through dynamic environments, as it carries a payload from point to point
View 2 Images
The Adept Lynx autonomous indoor vehicle is able to self-navigate through dynamic environments, as it carries a payload from point to point
1/2
The Adept Lynx autonomous indoor vehicle is able to self-navigate through dynamic environments, as it carries a payload from point to point
2/2

If you’re in charge of a parts warehouse, a distribution center, or some other big building full of things that need to be moved around, the Adept Lynx might be just what you need. Made by California-based Adept Technology, the autonomous indoor vehicle (AIV) is able to find its own way as it carries cargo from point to point, within “challenging environments.”

According to the company, such environments could include confined passageways, or areas with people moving about. The Lynx plans its basic route using a map programmed into it by the user, but is also able to spontaneously avoid random obstacles via onboard sensors. It can additionally be programmed to respond to specific voice cues or other audio prompts.

Unlike some other AIVs, it doesn’t require floor magnets, navigational beacons, or any other modifications to its environment – Adept claims that this could save users up to 15 percent in deployment costs. Fraunhofer’s Multishuttle Moves warehouse robots are similarly self-sufficient.

The Lynx can carry loads weighing up to 60 kilograms (132 lbs), which is also the weight of the vehicle itself. That cargo could conceivably be loaded onto it using another Adept product, the Cobra s800 packaging robot.

Power is provided by a 24-volt lithium iron phosphate battery pack, which should provide 19 hours of run time per charge. The Lynx automatically returns to its charging station when that battery gets low – a full recharge takes approximately 3.5 hours.

Prices aren't listed, but will be supplied to interested parties.

Source: Adept Technology

5 comments
5 comments
Ardis Lille
The Adept Lynx is cute and all, but do we really need to put more people out of jobs?
Malachi Williams
The temporary loss of jobs is inevitable with the increased popularity of machine labor. More jobs will come out of this in the long run. The machines will need people for maintenance and engineering purposes.
Ardis Lille
I'm skeptical. Machines are already maintaining and building machines. Auto assembly lines come to mind. Engineers may always have jobs to go to, but what about the people who are not engineer material? People who are trained for and skilled in warehouse jobs, for instance. Full disclosure, the subject of job loss to technology makes me grouchy. I'll let you have the last word, Malachi. :-)
RoBoCmO
Here a wonderful article from an academic that addresses the employment concern.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-d-atkinson-phd/i-want-robot_b_2496834.html
Ardis Lille
Thanks for the article, RoBoCmO. I appreciate it's pragmatic view of our economic evolution as a whole. I have 8 toes in old expectations of a inert working life and 2 toes in the new reality that it's better to be flexible as the economy bends and shifts. People who are born with both feet in the river don't have to ponder it...they BE it!