Bear Robotics Inc., which has previously created robots for the hospitality, healthcare, and retail sectors, last week announced its foray into logistics. The company unveiled the Carti 100 robot for material handling tasks in warehouses and distribution centers.
As industries strive to boost efficiency and cut costs, Bear Robotics said it’s focusing on information security, battery safety, and seamless multi-robot functionality in its latest product. With Carti 100, the company said it will empower businesses to adapt to the ever-changing demands of modern supply chains.
“At Bear Robotics, we are not just part of the robotics revolution; we are pioneers shaping the future of logistics,” stated John Ha, co-founder and CEO of Bear Robotics.
“Carti 100 represents a major leap in warehouse automation, boosting efficiency and productivity worldwide,” he added. “This product release reflects our commitment to building a future where technology and human potential seamlessly integrate, enabling industries to thrive in a dynamic marketplace.”
More about the Carti 100
Bear Robotics said it built the Carti 100 to handle the complex demands of factories and warehouses, supporting up to 220 lbs (99.79 kg). It said this ensures automated efficiency and precision while reducing overtime.
One key feature of the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) is its multi-robot orchestration. This enables smooth collaboration across operations, boosting productivity, and cutting costs, asserted the company.
The Carti 100 has an adaptable design suitable for a range of environments, including brownfield and greenfield sites, multi-level spaces, and mezzanines. The customizable robot includes adjustable shelves, smart conveyor belts, and advanced lighting to meet operational needs.
The AMR can also be fully integrated with elevators, smart charging stations, call buttons, and interactive dashboards to streamline the entire automation ecosystem, said Bear Robotics.
In shelf operations, the Carti 100 can optimize productivity with quick loading and autonomous deployment, according to the company. Its adaptive navigation ensures route optimization to efficiently work with staffers and minimize errors.
The robot’s autonomous charging system ensures minimal downtime, said Bear Robotics. Meanwhile, in conveyor operations, Carti 100 aligns the tray with the conveyor for smooth transitions.
The integrated control system, like the Autonomous Control System (ACS), ensures efficient loading and unloading while keeping production schedules intact, the company explained.
Bear Robotics builds up service robots
Redwood City, Calif.-based Bear Robotics was founded in 2017. Since then, its flagship Servi robots have been deployed across North America, Europe, and Asia.
CEO Ha is a former Google technical lead and senior software engineer. Bear Robotics’ co-founder and chief technology officer also have engineering experience at prominent software companies. Its product features include fleet management software, cloud-based control systems, and evolving platforms for service robots.
In March 2023, the company expanded its robotics offerings with Servi Plus, a larger version of its Servi robot. It can automate repetitive work like delivering orders to patrons at their tables and then bussing dishes.
The robot also featured a new liquid delivery algorithm that enables the robot to move, for example, an open glass of water to a table without spilling it.
Earlier this year, Bear Robotics received $60 million in Series C funding led by LG Electronics. The company said this will add to LG’s portfolio for sustained growth, rather than focusing on immediate gains.
With the stock purchase, LG is the largest single shareholder of Bear Robotics. By combining Bear Robotics’ research and development and software expertise with its own strengths, LG said it will lead efforts to standardize robot platforms to significantly reduce market-entry costs, as well as improve operational efficiency.