AI intelligent technology is being comprehensively promoted in all walks of life, replacing humans to do some simple tasks. The same is true in the field of forklifts. Because of the drawbacks of manual forklifts, intelligent handling robots are gradually embarking on the stage of history.

According to statistics from the Special Equipment Safety Supervision Bureau of the State Administration for Market Regulation, there were a total of 221 on-site motor vehicle accidents across the country from 2015 to 2019, resulting in 209 deaths and 44 injuries. The fatality rate was as high as 94.57%. Most forklift accidents are caused by human factors.

For example, many human factors such as unlicensed work, working with illness, excessive speed, over-limit transportation, mixed loading of people and goods, illegal handling of dangerous chemicals, etc. have become the culprits of forklift accidents. To maximize the avoidance of forklift accidents, intelligent handling robot operations may be the best solution.

Unmanning is the general trend

In recent years, affected by external factors such as factory intelligence and labor costs, the traditional logistics work based on human transportation is gradually changing from professionalization to automation and intelligence. The most notable performance is the internal logistics of the factory. Logistics warehousing requirements for the handling of highly flexible automated equipment have increased rapidly. Intelligent handling robots are also a very popular product at this stage.

According to data from the China Mobile Robotics (AGV) Industry Alliance and the New Strategic Mobile Robot Industry Research Institute, the sales volume of domestic intelligent handling robots exceeded 1,500 in 2018, and the sales volume of fork mobile robots (including visual navigation) in China reached 5,000 in 2020. A year-on-year increase of 233% over 2018.

It can be seen that the development of intelligent handling robots in the field of forklifts is in an ascending stage. Many forklift manufacturers have seen this general trend in the industry and have begun to produce intelligent handling robots, but for the same intelligent handling robots, there is a big difference in the degree of intelligence among them.

Some intelligent handling robots are not accurate enough in laser scanning, have requirements for environment construction, and have greater application limitations; some intelligent handling robots cannot plan routes well, which leads to manual intervention and control of vehicles during use, which seriously affects Use efficiency; although some intelligent handling robots can realize remote control, a remote control can only dock with one forklift. When several forklifts are operated on the same site at the same time, it will bring a lot of inconvenience to the operation of the forklift.

BYD's forklifts have an early layout to seize the opportunity

The above-mentioned problems in the field of intelligent handling robots have been successfully solved by BYD forklifts, because BYD forklifts not only have an early layout, but also have very strong R&D and innovation capabilities. Through continuous expansion of product technology, intelligent handling robots can adapt to more handling Scenes and harsh handling environments.

The reporter was informed that in October 2018, at the Singapore Industrial Fair, BYD and ST Engineering signed a cooperation agreement and decided to develop in-depth cooperation in the field of unmanned forklift trucks. In November of the same year, BYD Forklift launched a series of intelligent handling robots that integrate intelligent technology at CeMAT ASIA.

BYD and ST Engineering signed a cooperation agreement

Today, BYD intelligent handling robots have launched corresponding products in the field of warehouse handling robots, counterbalanced handling robots and towed handling robots.

Taking the warehouse-type handling robot as an example, BYD has launched a forward-moving handling robot. This product uses lidar to detect scenes and obstacles, create a map in real time and correct the position of the robot, which can effectively plan the trajectory to avoid obstacles;

In terms of safety assurance, through non-contact safety design, laser scanners, ultrasonics, etc., used alone or in combination to identify surrounding obstacles and remote detection; according to different situations in actual applications, forklift safety control, speed monitoring, and emergency Various options such as stop to improve safety performance; the product uses sound and light alarms, warning horns, warning lights, etc., to improve the safety of the robot to a greater extent; when the robot touches an obstacle, it will automatically stop, with edge collision avoidance Function;

In addition, multiple forward-moving handling robots can be controlled through the remote control, which greatly improves the control efficiency and reduces labor costs. In terms of scheduling, it can monitor and master the on-site operating conditions of all robots, and feedback vehicle status information in real time; and arrange tasks to be issued according to task levels; open system docking functions and provide customized interface services.

The era of intelligent handling robots has come

At this stage, some forklift companies feel that the technicality of intelligent handling robots has entered the window of future development. As a result, some people in the industry have analyzed that intelligent handling robots may become the standard configuration products recommended by forklift manufacturers in the near future.

BYD Towed Handling Robot

BYD's intelligent handling robot is more efficient, stable, accurate and safer than ordinary forklift drivers. Because the product is equipped with multiple protection devices such as emergency contact safety device, automatic alarm device, emergency stop button device and object detector, it can avoid injury to workers and damage to inventory, other equipment and buildings, and work risks are reduced.

BYD intelligent handling robots strictly follow the prescribed route. When there are obstacles or pedestrians on the driving route, they will automatically stop or take the initiative to avoid collisions, which can reduce the collision damage related to handling, ensure that the materials are transported to the designated location in good condition, and greatly reduce manual driving. Uncertainty caused by forklifts.

Not only that, BYD's intelligent handling robot also has a very big advantage in saving costs. It can work continuously for 24 hours. Greatly improve work efficiency and reduce personnel input. Relevant data shows that the application of BYD's intelligent handling robot can reduce the cost of the warehouse by 30% and increase the gross profit by 7%. In addition, through the monitoring system, the location and operation of each forklift can be seen, and instructions can be issued to direct the operation and work of the forklift. One person can realize the dispatch and use of multiple forklifts, saving manpower.

BYD's intelligent handling robot can make full use of the existing space and venue, the line channel is flexible, and the anti-interference ability is strong. Dust, noise, and small objects on the floor cannot interfere with the handling work. If it encounters a larger object, it will operate safely Safety device and brake the truck or start the automatic obstacle avoidance function. This makes the unmanned forklift's running cycle continuous and reliable, and will not cause a large-scale shutdown. It is suitable for large-scale operations, multiple vehicles driving at the same time, automatic avoidance, accurate and standardized goods placement, and adapt to the automation, continuity, and flexibility requirements of production in different application scenarios.

In the future, BYD’s intelligent handling robot will not only simply move goods to a designated location, but also integrate 5G technology, big data, Internet of Things, cloud computing, etc. into the product design, making intelligent handling robots a kind of Real-time sensing, safety identification, multiple obstacle avoidance, intelligent decision-making, automatic execution and other multi-functional new intelligent industrial equipment.Editor/Baohongying