Hermes automates pallet transport with 28 AGVs from Melkus Mechatronic

Designed for 1,000 Shipments Daily

With the introduction of driverless vehicles, the two logistics companies are pursuing several goals. In addition to easing the workload of employees, they aim to increase the number of daily transports, shorten processing times, and stabilize process flows.

The transport of 1,000 shipments per day, each weighing up to 1,000 kilograms, is cited as the planning goal. The goods are provided on pallets of different formats. A technical requirement is the ability to autonomously recognize and pick up the pallets even with position deviations within a tolerance range of 20 centimeters.

Additionally, there are the conditions of mixed traffic. The travel routes are not exclusively used by automated vehicles. Forklifts and pedestrians also move on the same traffic areas. Therefore, the vehicles must recognize obstacles and adjust their movements to the respective traffic situation.

Omnidirectional Drive Simplifies Pallet Pickup

For automation, Hermes Fulfilment and Hermes Einrichtungs Service jointly procured 28 vehicles of the "Melkus G130 2.0" type. According to the manufacturer, their maximum payload is 1,200 kilograms each. Thus, their carrying capacity exceeds the shipment weight intended for the transport task, which is a maximum of 1,000 kilograms.

A key technical feature is the omnidirectional drive. This allows the vehicles to move in different directions without requiring conventional maneuvering. The vehicles can thereby independently position themselves in front of the pallets to be picked up.

To capture the environment and load carriers, Melkus Mechatronic uses laser scanners with a detection range of 360 degrees. The sensors support precise localization of the pallets and the subsequent load pickup. This also allows pallets to be accounted for whose actual position deviates from the target position within the specified tolerance range.