Capra Robotics introduced the Capra Hircus, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) designed to navigate challenging terrain with ease, thanks to its patented kinematic model and four-wheel chassis. This robot can carry various types of loads while moving across rough and uneven surfaces.

The Hircus AMR has the unique ability to navigate both indoors and outdoors, using a variety of sensors that keep it on its path. The system uses cameras for obstacle detection and avoidance.

VELUX, a Danish window manufacturer, had the challenge of transporting payloads and material weighing up to 500 kg (1,102.3 lb.) within and between its manufacturing facilities in Skjern, Denmark. The company sought a unified system to address this issue.

The Capra Hircus, in combination with a detachable cart from partner ROEQ, proved to be the ideal fit for VELUX's requirements. It has incorporated the Capra AMR into current operations, with tasks from the central management system sent to the robot through the Capra Fleet Manager using the standardized VDA5050 interface.

Workers can stage and queue raw materials, work in process, and finished goods on the carts, and then schedule the robots to pick and move between manufacturing areas.

The movement process is completely automated as the robots autonomously control gates and doors along the way, giving them access to the outside world, and then back indoors once they arrive at their destinations.

VELUX said it sees immense potential in bridging the gap between indoor and outdoor transport. It added that integrated gate control, automated pickup and drop-off, and wireless charging were among the reasons Hircus was the obvious solution for its needs.

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