Toyota Material Handling Taiwan, an importer of intralogistics systems and forklifts manufactured by the Japanese automotive company, has announced the introduction of the AirRob system from Libiao Robotics in Taiwan.
The automated tote-handling solution is designed to deliver high storage density, rapid and accurate picking and scalability to future-proof warehouse and e-fulfilment operations.
With 166 employees working out of eight service locations in Taiwan plus two further locations in Mainland China, Toyota Material Handling Taiwan has deployed the AirRob as part of its ongoing transformation from a pure forklift business to one that provides automated solutions for logistics warehousing and storage.
“AirRob has the characteristics of high return rate, high flexibility and high efficiency,” said Huang Mingren, general manager of Toyota Material Handling Taiwan.
READ MORE: Automated tote-handling from Libiao Robotics showcased at Robotics & Automation 2024
“According to the projects we have executed, staff can not only increase the speed of operation by more than 50%, but also significantly shorten the training period.
“In terms of the operation platform and equipment, the number of robots can be flexibly increased or decreased according to the demand, and if the scale is expanded or the site needs to be moved, it can be easily moved or reconfigured.
“It is an intelligent robot with a very high degree of flexibility and freedom; it can be very small or very large, and it can have great expandability to meet the needs of different customers under different operating modes.”
AirRob travels at speeds of up to 2m/sec both horizontally and vertically on a lightweight frame fitted to the face of storage racking.
On arrival at the required location within the storage system, AirRob – which is capable of handling loads weighing up to 30kg – automatically picks a tote before delivering it to ground level where it is passed to a transfer robot.
READ MORE: Vietnamese logistics firm introduces ‘country’s first’ parcel-sorting robots
The ground level robot takes the tote box and its contents to a designated workstation where a worker removes the required items before putting the tote back on the robot.
The transfer robot then returns to the racking and hands the tote back to AirRob to be put away again.
According to Libiao, one AirRob can pick and store some 150 totes per hour and the entire system delivers a ROI within 12-24 months.
AirRob has been deployed at a Skechers footwear and apparel distribution centre in Taicang, China, a project shortlisted as a finalist in two categories at this year’s Robotics & Automation Awards.
Libiao Robotics has also recently established a European regional headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, and was an exhibitor at this year’s Robotics and Automation exhibition, which took place at the NEC Birmingham and is organised by Akabo Media – publisher of Robotics & Automation Magazine.
Innovations and achievements in logistics will be highlighted and celebrated at the second annual Robotics & Automation Awards on 06 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable industry event – and to book your table!
