Global warehouse automation provider Hai Robotics Co. Ltd has launched three new products that the company says could help unblock bottlenecks in the intralogistics sector.

The autonomous case-handling robots (ACRs) — part of Hai Robotics’ HAIPICK product family — include the A3 forklift ACR, the A42-FW flexible-width ACR, and a redesign for the A42T telescopic ACR, which now reaches storage height up to an industry-record 10 meters (32.8 feet).

A HAIPICK A3 fork-lifting ACR in picking operation for tires on Oct. 26 at CeMAT Asia 2021 in Shanghai.

The HAIPICK A3 robot, adopting a forklift picking design, is created for wider storage scenarios in which goods are not necessarily placed inside a box. The design, a major difference from previous generations of HAIPICK robots that use clamping picking, granted larger storage possibilities and better rack space utilization. Goods that don't require a container, such as tires, trays and boards that can be lifted by a fork from the bottom, can be easily handled at higher picking efficiency. The A3 robot adopts SLAM navigation technology, enabling more man-machine mixed field operations. It is also a good match with an environment that has strict control for dust, static and pollution. 

The A42-FW robot targets higher storage density. With a fork that can flexibly adjust according to the size of goods, this robot allows picking and handling of different sizes of totes or cartons while maximizing warehouse space utilization.

With its chassis measuring 900 millimeters in width — narrower than standard aisles of 1,000 millimeters — storage density can be boosted by 5%. The bot’s lowest pick height of 190 millimeters means that storage density can be elevated by another 6%. 

What's more, the robot can dynamically adjust storage locations according to the size it perceives, and increase storage locations by 20%.

A HIPICK A42-FW flexible-width ACR picks cartons and totes of different sizes on Oct. 26 at CeMAT Asia 2021 in Shanghai.

Along with its new bots, Hai Robotics announced a new version of HAIQ, the brain that commands HAIPICK ACRs. HAIQ nova allows seamless interaction with all kinds of equipment such as Kiva robots, slam robots, conveyor belts and more. 

"Since we initiated the world's first ACR system in 2015, we have been constantly updating our product as well as solutions, centering on elevated picking height, flexible picking arms, slender robot body and better software — addressing the demands for higher storage density, mixed picking of totes and cartons, and more storage locations against the backdrop of surging e-commerce order-fulfillment strain," said Richie Chen, founder and CEO of Hai Robotics.