102 In operation | Magazino UGV factory logistics of about 700 kg on average – meant we’d need a very powerful drivebase with the power to move that 940 kg or more from a stationary position, or brake effectively at 1.5 m/s.” To achieve all these qualities, Magazino integrates the ArgoDrive mobility system from fellow German company ebm-papst Group, which in turn has been configured by Magazino to run on electric motors from industrial BLDC motor manufacturer AS Sämisch (also German). The drivebase consists of four of ebm-papst’s ArgoDrive wheels, each rated to carry up to 500 kg, so the SOTO drivebase’s maximum capacity is 2000 kg. An ArgoDrive wheel consists of two electric motors (one of which rotates in the yaw axis, principally for azimuthing the wheel in place without resorting to differential steering) and a gearbox. The latter enables flexible adjustment of output speed, power and direction (forward or reverse) at the wheel, enabling higher power for moving the fully loaded SOTO from a standstill. Perhaps most notably, it connects to both electric motors, such that both can be used for output power. For added safety, each ArgoDrive contains redundant wheel encoders for consistent speed and distance measurements, as well as safety rated braking and additional sensing systems, and communication via CANopen, EtherCAT or Profinet for real-time diagnostic information on myriad e-motor performance and system-wide health parameters. The wheel itself is designed to be quickly replaceable for easy maintenance. Stretch and grow During each charging cycle, either Magazino or its customers will perform what is referred to as a “stretching”. This term refers collectively to thorough checks of all hardware and software to ascertain optimal working order. This includes requesting automated self-checks, for the robot to run tests of its gripper, laser systems, and other mechanical, electric and electronic systems, which are typically done on a daily basis during chargings. “We also provide a checklist of things the customer needs to check themselves, largely being very basic things like seeing that the gripper and lasers are clean, and performing an occasional cleaning. These components won’t always be working in the cleanest environments ever, so they can get very dusty, but these are checks and wipings that anyone can perform, so nothing demanding,” Eldevik says. “And now that we’ve been acquired by Jungheinrich Group, we have access to a wide network of field engineers that can visit our customers all over Europe to perform servicings, component exchanges and so forth. They also conduct periodic visits to robot locations for more thorough testing, often including stress tests of the robot to make certain each unit remains capable of the most strenuous tasks its customer might need of it.” Magazino’s acquisition by Jungheinrich also means the former is now focused on expanding its network across Europe, having previously been confined largely within Germany, Switzerland and Austria. “That means SOTOs can work in any European country that’s strong in manufacturing, so we’re looking at various primes and OEMs, the UK and the Nordics, so we’re planning to show SOTO and what we’re doing at different trade fairs all over Europe in the year ahead.” Eldevik concludes. December/January 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology SOTO UGV/AMR Fully electric Omnidirectional drive Length: 2230 mm Width: 1060 mm Maximum operating height: 2240 mm (laser scanner extended) Typical operating height: 2160 mm Minimum required floor space for movement: 2500 x 1310 mm Maximum speed: 1.5 m/s Maximum endurance: eight hours Charging time: 96 minutes Empty weight: 686-735 kg (depends on backpack configuration; 695 kg default) Maximum payload: 200-249 kg (depends on backpack configuration; 240 kg default) Some key suppliers 3D cameras: Basler Laser scanners: SICK Electric motors: AS Sämisch Driving/steering mobility system: ebm-papst Group Key specifications Magazino is looking to expand its customer base beyond Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with European manufacturing countries such as the UK and the Nordics likely prospects
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