This year’s Modex conference has seen a significant trend in warehouse robotics – everyone is suddenly interested in truck unloading. Over the past couple of years, this problem has gone from being tackled by just a few select companies to seemingly every player in and around warehouse robotics looking for a solution.
The Traditional Approach
Most solutions to this problem are some variation on a basic theme: a robotic arm attached to a mobile base that can be moved in and out of crates. This approach is not only time-consuming but also physically taxing, which is why many companies have been focusing on developing more efficient truck unloading systems.
Introducing TruckBot
One such solution is TruckBot, a system developed by Mujin. When I first saw the system, it took me a minute to understand what I was looking at. As we peered down from the vantage point of the Mujin booth’s mezzanine meeting rooms, my eye was drawn immediately to the big industrial robot arm in the foreground – this is what most of these systems look like.
However, TruckBot sat atop a conveyer belt. In fact, TruckBot is actually part conveyer belt. The system can move up and down vertically (up to 10 feet), side to side and has a 52-foot reach that lets it get into containers without leaving its spot on the belt.
How TruckBot Works
Interestingly, the company refers to the system using the language of a robotic arm, including the wrist articulation and the ‘gripper’ at the end, which is really a series of pneumatic suction cups that attach to the side of the box. This approach is clever because it incorporates the picking directly into the conveyor system.
Benefits of TruckBot
Truck unloading is a particularly physically taxing aspect of warehouse work, which is a big part of the reason Pickle Robotics, Boston Dynamics and others have been so focused on the task. Not only is it repetitive, back-breaking labor, but the containers are built to stick outside of warehouses, meaning they can get dangerously hot or cold, season dependent.
The system looks unwieldy – certainly it lacks the nimbleness of Boston Dynamics’ Stretch. However, TruckBot’s clever solution makes up for its bulkiness by being able to handle a range of sizes, weighing up to 50 pounds a piece. Mujin says it can process up to 1,000 boxes an hour.
The Future of Truck Unloading
Watching it in action brought to mind a hulking, metal herbivorous dinosaur. ‘TruckBot is a game-changer for warehouses looking to streamline their operations and reduce costs,’ the company notes. ‘ The dock door is the largest bottleneck in our supply chain and unloading trailers is back-breaking work. TruckBot will improve safety and effectiveness for warehouses across the globe while unlocking the possibility for true fully autonomous operations.’
The robot is the latest addition to the Mujin ecosystem, which also includes robots for palletizing, depalletizing and piece picking. TruckBot’s next trick will be figuring out how to load trucks, though that may require some tweaks to the ‘gripper’ system.
Conclusion
Truck unloading is a problem that has been tackled by many companies in the past couple of years. However, none have managed to solve it as efficiently as TruckBot. With its ability to move up and down vertically, side to side and having a 52-foot reach, it can get into containers without leaving its spot on the belt.
TruckBot is not only a game-changer for warehouses looking to streamline their operations but also reduces costs by improving safety and effectiveness. It’s a clever solution that incorporates the picking directly into the conveyor system and has been shown to process up to 1,000 boxes an hour.
About Mujin
Mujin is a company that specializes in developing warehouse automation solutions. Their ecosystem includes robots for palletizing, depalletizing, piece picking, and now truck unloading with TruckBot.
Conclusion
The rise of truck unloading solutions at the Modex conference shows that companies are finally acknowledging the importance of efficient warehouse operations. With its ability to process up to 1,000 boxes an hour, TruckBot is a game-changer for warehouses looking to streamline their operations and reduce costs.
However, it’s worth noting that solving the problem of truck unloading is not as simple as just developing a new solution. It requires a deep understanding of the complexities involved in warehouse operations and how they can be improved through automation.
References
- Mujin: Mujin’s official website.
- Modex Conference: The official website for the Modex conference.
- Pickle Robotics: Pickle Robotics’ official website.