Transport and intralogistics
Transport robots: which route your building allows
A transport robot rarely fails because of the robot itself. It fails because of a door width, a threshold, or an elevator that cannot be controlled.
This page goes through the process before discussing models: what needs to be measured, which load class is suitable for which task, where elevator integration becomes a separate project, and what ultimately drives the price.
- What tasks a transport robot performs, and which it does not.
- The route decides, not the data sheet.
- Elevator: the point at which projects fail
- Last: from tray to pallet
- Models we use for transport
- Transport robot in the hospital
- Transport robots in warehousing and logistics
- What drives the price
- Three route types from practice
- Frequently asked questions
What tasks a transport robot performs, and which it does not.
An autonomous transport robot travels a recurring route unaccompanied. It picks up a load, delivers it to a destination, reports its arrival, and returns to its charging station. That's its entire range of functions, and that's precisely where its reliability lies.
fit
- Recurring routes with the same start and finish
- These are routes that someone might casually walk today because nobody else has the time.
- Night journeys and off-peak hours when there is little traffic in the aisle
- Loads that are heavy or unwieldy, but not delicate to handle
- Buildings with paved floors and continuously accessible driveways
Doesn't fit
- Paths that are different each time and are decided spontaneously
- Tasks where someone at the destination has to make a decision or check something
- Stairs without elevators, outdoor sections with curbs, unpaved areas
- Grasping, sorting, packing and unpacking. A transport robot moves, it doesn't grasp.
- Rooms that are permanently cluttered with material
The most common misconception in initial discussions: the robot is expected to take over the entire process. It handles the transport. Loading and unloading remain the responsibility of humans, unless an additional transfer station is added.
The route decides, not the data sheet.
Before choosing a model, we need to plan the route. We walk the entire route and note seven points. Each one could derail a project, and each one can be measured beforehand. That's cheaper than a return after four weeks.
Point 1
Door widths at the narrowest point
It's not the width of the door leaf that matters, but the clear opening when the door is open, including the door handle, catch, and everything else in the frame. The narrowest doorway on the route is the deciding factor, not the average.
To be measured: clear width of each door along the route, plus indication of whether it is open during operation or needs to be opened.
Point 2
Thresholds, joints and ramps
Thresholds are the underestimated obstacle. A few millimeters of height difference can determine whether a robot with small wheels can even start moving, and whether the load will tip over. Elevator gaps and expansion joints in the floor also fall into this category.
To be measured: height of each threshold, width of each joint, slope and length of each ramp.
Point 3
Flooring throughout the entire area
A change from hard flooring to high-pile carpet requires different driving forces. Wet-mopped surfaces, metal grilles, roll-up gratings in entrance areas, and cobblestones in courtyards are separate cases.
Note: every surface change with length, plus the areas that are regularly wet.
Point 4
Elevator when the route changes floors
Once more than one floor is involved, the elevator becomes a separate issue. It's not just about whether the robot fits, but whether it can trigger the call itself and select the floor. The section below goes into this in detail.
To be clarified: cabin dimensions, door width, manufacturer and control type, maintenance contract, who is authorized to release the system.
Point 5
Airlocks, fire protection and security doors
Doors with self-closing mechanisms, fire compartments, and access-controlled areas require a separate solution. Either the door opens upon signal, or the route is configured so that the door is not on it. Both options are feasible, and both must be decided beforehand.
To clarify: which doors can open automatically, which access systems are affected, and who is responsible.
Point 6
Charging station and power connection
The charging station needs a power outlet, a location away from escape and rescue routes, and enough space for the robot to dock properly. In many buildings, this is the only place where construction is actually necessary.
To be clarified: possible location, existing or new electrical outlet, distance to the route, approval of the fire safety officer.
Point 7
Traffic in the corridor
A route through a corridor where fifty people are traveling at midday is a different route than the same route at 10 p.m. Where people and robots are traveling simultaneously, the travel time is determined by scheduling.
Note: Peak times on the route, possible travel windows, whether night operation is permitted.
The result of these seven points is a route protocol. From this, the choice of model almost happens automatically, because the narrowest point and the heaviest load reduce the selection to just a few devices.
Elevator: the point at which projects fail
A robot that needs to change floors must call the elevator, detect the cabin, enter it, select the destination floor, and exit again. For this, it needs access to the elevator control system. This isn't an accessory, but a separate project step in collaboration with the elevator manufacturer or maintenance company.
We therefore approach elevator integration in two stages. The preliminary project clarifies which control system is installed, which interfaces it allows, who needs to approve the system, and what the manufacturer requires. Only then is it determined whether integration is technically and economically feasible. The main project implements and commissions the system.
This sequence sounds cumbersome, but it saves the most money. An elevator whose control system lacks an interface turns a two-story project into two separate one-story projects, each with its own robot, or requires manual handover at the elevator. Both are valid solutions, but they are ones you need to know about beforehand.
Interface available
The robot calls the elevator itself. Full autonomy across all connected floors.
No interface
Handover at the elevator by staff, or one robot per floor. Less elegant, but often ready to go faster.
Release is missing
Technically possible, but the owner, maintenance company, or fire safety authority doesn't agree. More common than you might think.
Last: from tray to pallet
The second axis besides the route is the load. Four classes cover virtually everything that is moved in buildings, and each class has its own design.
| load class | Typical task | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| Tray and dishes | Food, drinks, returned dishes, small deliveries within the building | Open floors with trays, operated via display |
| Containers and boxes | Laundry, consumables, small items, mail and files | Closed compartments or structure with container storage |
| trolleys and roll containers | Laundry trolley, food trolley, material trolley, roll container | Lifting function that slides underneath the car and lifts it |
| Pallets and heavy loads | Pallets, wire mesh boxes, heavy individual loads in storage and production | Heavy-duty platform, lifting via fork or platform |
The jump from class three to class four is the biggest. A lifting function for roll containers operates in the range of a few hundred kilograms, while a heavy-duty platform is an order of magnitude larger. According to internal specifications, the AutoXing FT2000 has a load capacity of 2.000 kg. For selection purposes, this means: the heaviest load on the route determines the class, and the class determines the space required for turning.
The values in the datasheet for the specific model and in our internal specifications are always binding, not approximate values from a comparable product. If a single number determines whether a product passes or fails, we verify it on the device itself before issuing the offer.
Models we use for transport
The following devices are available in our catalog. The classification indicates the load class and environment for which a model is designed. Which one is suitable for your route can be determined from the route log, not from the order in this table.
| Model | load class | Typical environment |
|---|---|---|
| AutoXing AX6112 D-80 | Containers and boxes | Small loads, narrow paths, office buildings |
| AutoXing AX6113 D-150 | Containers and boxes | Nursing home, clinic, hotel, office building |
| AutoXing AX6113 D-300 | Containers and boxes | More volume per trip, longer distances |
| AutoXing AX6114 D-300E | Containers and boxes | Higher frequency, multi-shift operation |
| AutoXing AX8112 L-150, L-300, L-300E | trolleys and roll containers | Lifting function, laundry and material logistics |
| AutoXing AX8113 L-600 | trolleys and roll containers | Larger vehicles, multi-level operation |
| AutoXing AX8114 S-150, S-300, S-300E | trolleys and roll containers | Sub-lifting, goes underneath the car |
| AutoXing AX8113 S-600 | trolleys and roll containers | Sub-lifting for heavy vehicles |
| AutoXing AX2112 Hotel Bot | Containers, closed compartments | Hotel, delivery to the room door |
| T300 Standard, T300 with Lifting | Containers to roll containers | Compact routes, narrow passages |
| T600 Standard, T600 Underride | trolleys and roll containers | Larger loads on a compact route |
| ZenaRx T4 | Medicines and samples | Clinic, laboratory, pharmacy |
| TUG T3, TUG T3XL | Cart | Hospital logistics, large hospitals |
| Cadebot L100 | Tray to container | Gastronomy, Hotel, Event |
| BellaBot Pro | Tray and dishes | Restaurant, canteen, dish return |
| KettyBot Pro | Tray and dishes | Narrow restaurants, reception |
| HolaBot | Dishwasher return and container | Restaurants with high customer response |
| FlashBot Max | Containers, closed compartments | Hotel, office building |
| PuduBot 2 | Tray and container | Gastronomy and retail |
| AutoXing FT1500, FT2000 Pallet Truck | Pallets and heavy loads | Warehouse, production, intralogistics |
What is deliberately missing here
This table does not include prices or load capacities for each model. Prices should be included in the quote, as the number of floors, elevator, number of devices, and charging points influence them more significantly than the device itself. We will provide the load capacity and weight from the specific model's data sheet once the route is finalized.
Transport robot in the hospital
In hospitals, the transport routes are the reason why nursing staff are not with patients. Laundry, meal trolleys, supplies, sterile goods, lab samples, and files travel the same corridors and elevators as everything else. A transport robot handles these planned routes.
Three things are different in a hospital setting compared to an office building. First, the airlocks and hygiene zones : the route must be planned so that the robot doesn't cross any zone it's not authorized to enter and can be cleaned where necessary. Second, elevator operation : bed elevators have priority; a robot mustn't block them—this must be included in the authorization. Third, night operations : many hospitals deliberately schedule transports for nighttime because the corridors are clear and travel times become predictable.
The process on the ward, including route, elevator, and airlock, is described on the page "Robots in Hospitals" . For care facilities without clinical operations, "Robots in Care" is the appropriate starting point.
Transport robots in warehousing and logistics
When people search for "transport robot logistics," they usually mean intralogistics, i.e., routes within a site. In this context, the focus is less on door widths and more on throughput. The question isn't whether a robot can travel the route, but rather how many trips per hour are needed and whether one robot or three will suffice.
This can be calculated using three factors: route length, number of trips per day, and loading and unloading time. Travel time is the smaller part. In most calculations we see, the handover at the beginning and end determines whether automation is worthwhile. Anyone who doesn't plan for the handover process is essentially buying a robot that waits for human intervention.
The second question in logistics concerns the distinction between autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and driverless transport systems. An AMR navigates freely and avoids obstacles, while a traditional AGV follows a fixed path. A detailed comparison can be found on the AMR vs. AGVs page . For changing layouts and mixed traffic, free navigation is advantageous, while for strictly scheduled routes with a fixed path, track guidance may suffice.
An overview of application areas, warehouse processes and interfaces can be found on Robots in Logistics and Warehousing.
What drives the price
The question of cost comes up in every initial consultation, and the honest answer is: the device itself is rarely the biggest expense. Four factors influence the price more than the choice of model.
Floors and elevator
One floor is a different project than three. Elevator integration is a separate step with its own effort, see above.
Number of devices
It is determined by the number of trips per day and the travel time per round, not by the size of the building.
Charging stations and construction work
Electrical outlet, location, fire safety approval. Often, the only point where actual construction takes place.
Introduction and training
Who operates the robot, who intervenes, who reports malfunctions? Without a designated person responsible, the robot will stop working after four weeks.
We offer two types of services: one with a trial period and one without, as a purchase . The trial period is the appropriate approach when the route involves unknowns, such as an elevator without a clearly defined interface or a corridor with heavy traffic. It takes time and answers questions that would otherwise only arise after the investment.
The service robot configurator provides an initial estimate of areas, routes, and effort . For cleaning areas, there is also a cleaning robot calculator.
Three route types from practice
The following three examples describe route types we encounter regularly, not specific customer projects. They illustrate which point from the route review is decisive in each case.
Type A
One floor, long corridor, high traffic
Kitchen to ward, or central warehouse to department. No elevator, but lots of trips and traffic in the corridor. The crucial factor here is frequency: is one device sufficient for the number of trips, and when are trips permitted?
Type B
Two floors, few trips, elevator in the way
Laundry from the basement, materials from the storage area in the adjacent building. Few trips per day, but one floor change. The elevator control system is crucial. Without an interface, this either requires a transfer at the elevator itself or a separate device for each floor.
Type c
Hall, heavy load, open space
Pallets and wire mesh containers between production and storage. Door widths are hardly relevant, but the turning radius of the heavy-duty platform and the transfer at the storage locations are crucial. The load class and the space available for turning are decisive factors.
Open-back
We only publish named references with figures once we have received the respective client's approval. Until then, we describe examples instead of names. Anyone needing specific comparison cases will receive them in a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a transport robot?
An autonomous mobile robot that moves loads along a predetermined route within a building without anyone accompanying it.
It navigates autonomously, avoids obstacles, and returns to its charging station after the journey. It doesn't pick things up or sort them; it transports them.
How much can a transport robot carry?
It depends on the load class. From a few kilograms on a tray to 2.000 kg for the AutoXing FT2000 as a heavy-duty platform.
The selection is based on the heaviest load on your route, not the average. The definitive figure is found in the data sheet for the specific model.
Can a transport robot ride in an elevator?
Yes, if the elevator control system allows an interface and the operator enables the connection.
This is a separate project step, not an add-on. We clarify this in the preliminary project phase before a proposal for multi-story operation is prepared.
How much does a transport robot cost?
The price is determined more by the number of floors, elevator integration, number of devices and charging points than by the model.
Therefore, we do not list prices on this page, but calculate the route ourselves. There are two types of offers: one with a trial period and one for purchase without a trial period.
How long does the introduction take?
The robot starts moving after the route is set up. What takes time are the elevator, the charging station, and assigning responsibilities.
A route on a single floor without an elevator is quick. As soon as an elevator interface is involved, the completion time depends on the elevator manufacturer.
What happens if the aisle is blocked?
The robot stops, attempts an evasive maneuver, and reports when it cannot proceed.
Therefore, every project includes a designated person who responds to this message. Without this person's responsibility, the device will remain stationary and be shut down.
Does a transport robot need Wi-Fi throughout the entire building?
Not continuously for the journey, but for notifications, elevator connection and remote access.
Dead zones along the route are a point we measure during the route inspection, because otherwise they will later appear as a disruption.
Check route
Briefly describe the route you want automated, how many floors are involved, and what will be transported. We will get back to you with the questions crucial for your route and will be upfront if automation doesn't make sense there.