FlexQube Navigator connects with larger, powered carts and navigates between endpoints. | Credit: FlexQube
China will grant FlexQube’s patent for its unique Navigator autonomous mobile robot (AMR). This new patent relates to the technology of a small and non-load-bearing AMR that connects with motorized FlexQube carts via a smart coupling, creating a combined ecosystem for material transportation.
In addition, the corresponding patent will also be granted in Canada, and previous patents regarding Navigator AMR have been granted in the U.S. and by the European Patent Office. Corresponding patent applications are also pending in South Korea, Japan, Mexico, and India.
The FlexQube Navigator won an RBR50 Innovation Award in 2022 for its novel design and its ability to mate with and move a powered cart with a large payload.
In this way, the company is protecting its intellectual property, while leveraging the opportunity to expand its installed base. FlexQube’s modular construction kit enables customers to easily design and quickly assemble custom material handling carts from an interchangeable component system. The Navigator provides an autonomous navigation option to the solutions that customers can design from.
“It is gratifying that we are further strengthening our patent protection for our unique robot system,” Per Augustsson, commercial product owner AMR, FlexQube. The patented technology enables a safe and efficient solution for our customers who want to replace manual forklifts with automated material handling for production lines. Our AMR, which is equipped with a standardized interface, can couple with a wide variety of motorized load carriers adapted to the material the customer wants to transport. This gives a unique flexibility as the same AMR can be used for many different applications at the customer.”
The company continues to sell primarily to the manufacturing industry in Europe and North America. During the second quarter, a successful implementation was completed at a large commercial manufacturer of heavy vehicles in Sweden, where the AMR system delivers high-frequency and production-critical material to the assembly line where manual forklifts were previously used.
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