ROEQ doubles capacity of OMRON LD-250 with new cart system

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The ROEQ TMC500 solution consists of a top module and the ROEQ Cart500. | Source: ROEQ

Adept Technology innovated in 2014 with the release of the first cart-based solution for the Adept Lynx LD autonomous mobile robot, called the “cart transporter”. Since that time, Adept was acquired by OMRON, and ROEQ was founded to focus on building third-party cart top modules for AMRs. In the last couple of years, OMRON has added higher payload AMRs to its portfolio in the form of the OMRON LD-250 (250 kg payload) and OMRON HD-1500 (1500 kg payload) AMRs.

ROEQ is taking its experience in designing and manufacturing top modules exclusively for Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) and expanding its market to support AMRs from other vendors. Organizations who are deploying the OMRON LD-250 AMR now have a powerful new option to dramatically increase payload without having to invest in a larger, more expensive AMR solution.

Michael Ejstrup Hansen, Managing Director at ROEQ, emphasizes how the new product and OMRON partnership is part of a ROEQ strategy to expand its mobile robotic equipment (MRE) solutions to more AMR brands: “As a leading quality global brand of AMRs, OMRON is a natural partner for us,” he says. “We developed the cart solution for the LD-250 due to its flexible use and the clear benefits that it adds in both automotive manufacturing, digital and semiconductor industries, food and consumables, warehouse and logistics, and medical verticals.”

The new ROEQ TMC500 top module and Cart500 developed for the OMRON LD-250, not only doubles the AMR payload, but it also provides a standardized, safe, and flexible solution for internal logistics tasks.

In addition, AMR users can now drop off a cart to be loaded/unloaded while the AMR continues on to another task/mission. This improves the utilization of the AMRs, and accelerates the return on investment for deploying AMRs into your workflows.

The ROEQ Cart500 top module for OMRON LD-250 AMRs includes an e-stop button that is easily accessible by the user. The top module remains attached to the AMR. | Credit: ROEQ

“This exciting new relationship with ROEQ gives our customers access to fast and cost-effective options for their toughest mobile automation initiatives,” says Kyle Hable, Group Product Manager, OMRON Robotics and Safety Technologies, INC. “OMRON customers around the world depend on our mobile robots for their flexibility, reliable performance, and best-in-class fleet management. ROEQ’s global presence is a perfect match to aid customers with successful autonomous intralogistics solutions.”

The ROEQ Cart500 can carry cargo weighing up to 500 kg. | Source: ROEQ

The LD-250 is a fast-growing solution in its performance class. It was released in 2019. OMRON is one of the AMR pioneers, having sold its first commercial mobile robot in 2013 (as Adept Technology). The ROEQ TMC500 solution consists of the ROEQ Cart500 and a top module. The solution is flexible because it can be used to pick up items from free space and because the Cart500 has holes for attaching crates and shelves to the top of the cart.

The robot can dock to the cart from both ends – for greater logistics efficiency – and has easy access to the emergency stop button for cargo up to 120 cm (47.2”).

The ROEQ solution comes with software for easy and consistent setup of the system, enabling seamless integration between the ROEQ TMC500 and the OMRON LD-250. The software includes ROEQ Assist and ROEQ safety zones definitions and the solution works with the OMRON operating panel.

“With this new product offering and partnership, we look forward to providing OMRON customers with a powerful and cost-effective solution,” says Michael E. Hansen, emphasizing how the ROEQ MRE enables compact AMR models to transport heavier loads while maintaining maneuverability even in narrow spaces.

The ROEQ TMC500 system for the OMRON LD-250 is expected to be available by the end of 2022.