Teradyne is acquiring US manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) AutoGuide Mobile Robots. The company's robots will be integrated into Teradyne's portfolio. The company is paying $165 million for AutoGuide.
AutoGuide supplies AMRs for transporting loads of up to 4,500 kg and is aimed at the manufacturing, logistics and warehouse sectors, among others. Among others, Pactiv, Ford and Husqvarna use its solutions. The company is growing briskly and is expected to double its revenue in 2019 compared to 2018, when the company achieved $4 million in sales.
MAX N10 platform
The US company provides several products: industrial mobile robots, low profile robots and traffic management software. In the field of industrial mobile robots, AutoGuide supplies the MAX N10 platform. The MAX N10 features SurePath Natural Feature LiDAR Navigation, a functionality that allows it to find its way without infrastructure such as mirror, RFID tags or tape.
The MAX N10 platform can be fitted with different frames, which can be used to make the robots suitable for a variety of applications. These include a flat loading platform on which goods can be transported, but also a conveyor belt that allows automated loading and unloading of products. In addition, a variant is available that automatically locates and retrieves the right pallet. The N10 can also be used as an automated towing vehicle, with the robot moving carts of goods through a warehouse, for example.
MYLO TV1000
In addition to the MAX N10 platform, AutoGuide also supplies MYLO TV1000. This low profile mobile robot is designed to move carts. Thanks to its low design, the robot drives under a cart, hooks up via a programmable lock and transports the cart to the desired location.
Unlike the MAX N10 platform, MYLO uses magnetic tape to find its way around. The robot is capable of moving loads up to about 2,000 kg. The MYLO TV1000 is designed to operate in a 24/7 environment and can recharge itself using charging points incorporated in loading and unloading points, for example. This is also known as 'opportunity charging' and prevents downtime.
SurePath Fleet Control System
The robots will be controlled using the SurePath Fleet Control System. This control system enables companies to manage, monitor, track, organise and optimise their mobile robots. To do this, the software communicates wirelessly in real-time with the individual mobile robots.
In some cases, companies use a combination of AMRs from different manufacturers. AVINU 2.0 enables these mobile robots to be managed in a single solution. The software provides users with real-time visibility of all mobile robots operating their facility and their current status.
Expanding reach in market
"The heavy-duty AMR market is an emerging, fast-growing segment of the global forklift market," said Mark Jagiela, president and CEO of Teradyne. "AutoGuide's modular architecture and innovative technologies deliver safe, easy-to-deploy products that naturally complement our MiR AMRs for light and medium loads, expanding our reach into this attractive market."
The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019. The acquisition is still subject to regulatory approval.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
