Background technology:
With the recent increase in demand for EC and the popularization of new electronic devices, the need for automation in distribution warehouses is growing to address the problems of labor shortages and increased warehouse mobility.
On the other hand, many distribution warehouses in Japan haven't even considered automation because their existing delivery robots are too expensive. LexxPluss' automated transfer robots introduce new methods in their software, hardware, and business model to accelerate the automation of warehouse logistics operations.
Advantages of Lexx Pluss Autonomous Mobile Robots:
1. Flexible response to various on-site environments
Conventional autonomous mobile robots can be broadly categorized into two types: AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) that travel along guide lines on the ground and AMRs (Automated Mobile Robots) that use autonomous driving technology to move automatically. The former is relatively inexpensive, but its maintainability is poor because the guide lines are laid out around the distribution center; while the latter is expensive due to its high degree of cooperation with workflows and the technical barriers arising from transportation and traction.
LexxPluss's autonomous mobile robots are equipped with "hybrid control technology," which combines the track-based movement capabilities used in AGVs with the autonomous movement capabilities used in AMRs. Each LexxPluss autonomous mobile robot can handle a variety of different on-site working environments, such as tracked movement when working in narrow aisles and with workers, and autonomous movement when maneuvering around people and objects.
2. Quick and accurate collaboration with employees
The orbital movement function used in the LexxPluss autonomous mobile robot can be controlled with an accuracy of ±1 cm or less. This allows the robot to accurately transport items to the required location and achieve lean collaborative work.
Furthermore, creating a plan for setting the destination and route of an autonomous mobile robot typically takes about a week, but the LexxPluss autonomous mobile robot only takes half a day, and the route can be edited in 5 minutes.
3. Powerful and diverse transportation methods
While achieving the industry's smallest dimensions of 60cm x 60cm, it boasts a maximum load capacity of 300kg and a towing capacity of 500kg. Furthermore, it supports over 30 types of transport containers, such as trolleys, pallets, and basket trolleys.
Systems using the RaaS (Robotics as a Service) model are highly convenient for post-installation operation and management. We will provide services for cell-based robots and offer the most intuitive data on cost-effectiveness that is difficult to see in conventional purchasing. Furthermore, by controlling the sales price of autonomous mobile robots within the manufacturing cost, our goal is to encourage more businesses to automate their work.
4. Purpose of Procurement and Future Development
The LexxPluss autonomous transport robot is planned for release in the fall of 2021. We are currently conducting demonstration experiments and providing a full overview with several operators. This funding will be used for the development costs of the autonomous mobile robot, as well as the recruitment and labor costs of engineers.
Furthermore, our company has been adopted by "HAX Tokyo," a hardware-focused accelerator program jointly operated by SOSV, Sumitomo Corporation, and SCSK, and leveraging their global network, we will build a larger-scale production system. We are also considering expanding this business to overseas markets.
Our corporate vision is "sustainable industry and sustainable living," and we are developing autonomous mobile robots with "reduced workload" and "improved safety" as key themes.
