Last month, electronics company Omron announced the launch of the HD-1500, the strongest and latest addition to the company’s series of mobile robots.

The new HD-1500 boasts a heavy payload capacity of up to 1 500 kg. In a press release, the company noted that it is ideal for modern factories, where autonomous materials handling solutions need to manage more demanding industrial automation tasks, along with implementing new social distancing requirements owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The payload capacity of the HD-1500 enables transportation of large automotive components such as car chassis and voluminous pallet size payloads – items that would have traditionally been moved using forklifts, explains Omron robotics and safety technologies president and CEO Tom Mathias.

With the release of the HD-1500, Omron’s mobile robots, including the LD-60/90 and LD-250, form a seamless line-up of models that can transport a variety of items – from components to work-in-progress finished products, and heavy material.

Ensuring efficient materials handling in factories, Omron’s industry-first fleet manager can control up to 100 mobile robots with different sizes, configurations and payload capacities under one system to automate complex material transport and logistics applications.

The robots can automatically calculate the best route, while collaborating safely with people and navigating around obstacles, without the use of magnetic floor tapes or other guides. The HD-1500 battery charges in just 36 minutes and can handle a full shift on a full load, reducing downtime.

“On-site logistics, the movement of products and material within the factory and warehouse, is becoming a real bottleneck for many companies due to the frequency and tediousness of the job, compounded by the need to meet social distancing protocols.

“Fast-paced manufacturing environments require speed and flexibility. Omron’s HD-1500 mobile robot can help companies solve this issue because it can work 24 hours a day, tirelessly, punctually, and safely side-by-side with people.”

He adds that highlights of the HD-1500 include a higher payload and sturdier structure, faster return on investment and customisable fleet.

The HD-1500 can move pallet size payloads in manufacturing facilities and reduces the need for a forklift. Built with sturdy metal skins, the HD-1500 is robust and able to withstand heavy unintended external impacts, explains Mathias.

The HD-1500 offers a solution to automate complex and dangerous tasks. This means that organisations can now reduce the use of forklifts and safely transport large pallets containing finished goods, voluminous materials in the food and commodities industry, and automotive frames.

“Workers can now focus their attention on more vital tasks, allowing customers to load more, making fewer trips with heavier batches, and increasing the return on investment. With the HD-1500, customers can do more with less equipment.”

By being able to customise the fleet, it becomes more diverse, but is still controlled through the same system. Omron’s fleet manager allows a diverse mobile fleet of up to 100 mobile robots, including the HD-1500, to be controlled with the same system while achieving high performance.

“As a result of the optimised traffic management, battery management, and routing of vehicles, customers can add the HD-1500 to their fleets without worrying about safety, compatibility or performance,” concludes Mathias.