Pudu Robotics has launched the PUDU MP2000, an autonomous robot for moving pallets in warehouses, logistics centres and factories. The robot can transport loads of up to 2,000 kilos and uses AI to recognise pallets, determine routes and adapt to changes in its environment.
With the MP2000, Pudu is targeting a task that is still carried out by forklifts or other manned vehicles in many warehouses and factories. The robot can autonomously pick up pallets and transport them to another location, for example between a loading dock, warehouse and production line.
Pudu has designed the system to keep installation as straightforward as possible. The MP2000 maps its working environment independently and navigates without the need for reflectors or QR codes. According to the company, this allows the robot to be added to an existing facility relatively quickly, without major infrastructure changes.
For navigation, the robot uses technologies including 3D LiDAR and depth cameras. AI is used to identify an available storage location, determine the position of a pallet and adjust when a pallet is not positioned correctly. The robot can also assess the shape and dimensions of a load to determine how much space it needs to manoeuvre.
The MP2000 can handle several common pallet formats as well as, according to Pudu, non-standard load carriers. Fork insertion can be completed in around 20 seconds. This makes the robot particularly suited to facilities where large numbers of pallets are moved throughout the day.
While transporting loads, the MP2000 continuously monitors its surroundings. The combination of LiDAR, cameras and other sensors enables it to detect obstacles at both low and higher levels. It can also respond when people, vehicles or other objects unexpectedly cross its path.
At larger sites, multiple MP2000 robots can operate together as a fleet. The robots distribute and coordinate tasks while also using onboard computing to make decisions independently. According to Pudu, the fleet can continue operating even if the connection to an external network is temporarily unavailable.
The MP2000 expands Pudu’s existing range of industrial logistics robots. Robots in its T-series, including the T300, are already used to move smaller materials and goods. With the MP2000, the company is adding autonomous pallet transport and the handling of heavier loads to its portfolio.
