Automated Guided Vehicles of Karter
What are Karter Automated Guided Vehicles?
Karters are compact Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) for use in industrial production plants, warehouses and logistics centres. Because they are much smarter than standard AGVs we also refer to them as Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR). Karters have sophisticated laser scanners for navigation and safety. This enables them to navigate around your factory or warehouse by recognising fixed features such as walls and racking. Unlike conventional AGVs they do not need magnetic tracks in the floor, painted lines or special reflectors on the walls of the building.
Karter Automated Guided Vehicles are easy to integrate in your operations as you do not need to fit special navigation features in their operating environment. Neither do they need continuous commands from a control system.
How does a Karter Automated Guided Vehicle work?
When implementing Karters, a unit is first driven around the building under manual control by an operator who walks behind the Karter. The LiDAR laser scanner scans the surroundings and the scans are then tidied up to create a map. The map is stored on the Karters so they only need the WiFi network to receive instructions and send confirmations. This significantly reduces network traffic compared to Automated Guided Vehicles which need to receive continuous navigation data. If the configuration of your plant changes, you can easily undertake a new scan and produce new Karter maps.
Our technology
Karters use ANT® Autonomous Navigation Technology from our partner Bluebotics – this software is based on over 20 years’ experience and proven in the field. You can control Karter missions with our software, using manual call buttons, or through an interface to your ERP package. There are also interfaces to barcode scanners, automatic doors and lifts. Karters navigate with a position accuracy of approximately 1 cm, can turn on the spot and can operate in narrow aisles.
What are the advantages of deploying AGVs in your business?
Karters are a perfect replacement for manually driven forklift trucks and tow tractors. They relieve your staff of boring, monotonous work and can reliably work long shifts. In most cases they only need to be recharged for 10 minutes to operate a full 8 hour shift. They can also be used in refrigerated and frozen warehouses.
There are Karter models to transport pallets, and for roller cages, boxes, etc. Their maximum load is up to 1500 kg. Some models can both lift and transport the load. As we build the units in our factory in The Hague, the Netherlands we can also tailor a model specifically to your way of working. We can also supply units in stainless steel for operation in hygienic environments.
Are Karter Automated Guided Vehicles safe?
The laser scanner at the front of the unit continuously monitors the path ahead and stops the Karter AGV if there is an obstruction, other vehicle or person in the way. Karters never get tired so they always operate safely.
The units drive at a safe speed of 2 km/h (standard) or 4 km/h (option). The LiFePO 4 batteries use a safe battery technology with a low fire hazard.
Are you looking for more information about AGVs?
Then please contact us to discuss your application with one of our product specialists.