Analysis:
The FlexQube cart structure is employed by manufacturers around the globe to create custom material handling carts that can be custom built for any material handling task. Initially developed for manual cart operations, FlexQube introduced the eQart as an autonomous powered option for turning a manual cart into an autonomous, powered one. However, each eQart needs to be occasionally recharged and a cart might stand still in a queue for hours at a time while waiting for its next task.

The eQart Navigator is a new concept that packages the autonomous motion intelligence into a separate “tractor-like” device that can attach to an eQart platform, power the onboard motors and sensors, and move the eQart platform to its next process step. The eQart Navigator can then detach the eQart and leave it while it goes on its next mission. eQart Navigator uses intelligence by Bluebotics to run all of the obstacle avoidance and navigation processes. This solution is novel because the eQart Navigator powers the motors onboard each eQart while driving the eQart between pickup and drop-off locations. This improves the efficiency of the entire material handling process. – Mike Oitzman