Listen to this article
Organization: Capra Robotics
Country: Denmark
Website: https://capra.ooo/
Year Founded: 2019
Number of Employees: 11-50
Innovation Class: Application & Market
Editor’s Note: The 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards were announced on April 9. The RBR50 has been around for the past 12 years, and the inaugural RBR50 Gala was held during the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston. The Robot Report will be highlighting each RBR50 winner throughout the year.
Capra Robotics introduced the Capra Hircus, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) designed to navigate challenging terrain with ease, thanks to its patented kinematic model and four-wheel chassis. This robot can carry various types of loads while moving across rough and uneven surfaces.
The Hircus AMR has the unique ability to navigate both indoors and outdoors, using a variety of sensors that keep it on its path. The system uses cameras for obstacle detection and avoidance.
VELUX, a Danish window manufacturer, had the challenge of transporting payloads and material weighing up to 500 kg (1,102.3 lb.) within and between its manufacturing facilities in Skjern, Denmark. The company sought a unified system to address this issue.
The Capra Hircus, in combination with a detachable cart from partner ROEQ, proved to be the ideal fit for VELUX’s requirements. It has incorporated the Capra AMR into current operations, with tasks from the central management system sent to the robot through the Capra Fleet Manager using the standardized VDA5050 interface.
Workers can stage and queue raw materials, work in process, and finished goods on the carts, and then schedule the robots to pick and move between manufacturing areas.
The movement process is completely automated as the robots autonomously control gates and doors along the way, giving them access to the outside world, and then back indoors once they arrive at their destinations.
VELUX said it sees immense potential in bridging the gap between indoor and outdoor transport. It added that integrated gate control, automated pickup and drop-off, and wireless charging were among the reasons Hircus was the obvious solution for its needs.
RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024
Organization Innovation
ABB Robotics Modular industrial robot arms offer flexibility
Advanced Construction Robotics IronBOT makes rebar installation faster, safer
Agility Robotics Digit humanoid gets feet wet with logistics work
Amazon Robotics Amazon strengthens portfolio with heavy-duty AGV
Ambi Robotics AmbiSort uses real-world data to improve picking
Apptronik Apollo humanoid features bespoke linear actuators
Boston Dynamics Atlas shows off unique skills for humanoid
Brightpick Autopicker applies mobile manipulation, AI to warehouses
Capra Robotics Hircus AMR bridges gap between indoor, outdoor logistics
Dexterity Dexterity stacks robotics and AI for truck loading
Disney Disney brings beloved characters to life through robotics
Doosan App-like Dart-Suite eases cobot programming
Electric Sheep Vertical integration positions landscaping startup for success
Exotec Skypod ASRS scales to serve automotive supplier
FANUC FANUC ships one-millionth industrial robot
Figure Startup builds working humanoid within one year
Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics evoBot features unique mobile manipulator design
Gardarika Tres Develops de-mining robot for Ukraine
Geek+ Upgrades PopPick goods-to-person system
Glidance Provides independence to visually impaired individuals
Harvard University Exoskeleton improves walking for people with Parkinson’s disease
ifm efector Obstacle Detection System simplifies mobile robot development
igus ReBeL cobot gets low-cost, human-like hand
Instock Instock turns fulfillment processes upside down with ASRS
Kodama Systems Startup uses robotics to prevent wildfires
Kodiak Robotics Autonomous pickup truck to enhance U.S. military operations
KUKA Robotic arm leader doubles down on mobile robots for logistics
Locus Robotics Mobile robot leader surpasses 2 billion picks
MassRobotics Accelerator Equity-free accelerator positions startups for success
Mecademic MCS500 SCARA robot accelerates micro-automation
MIT Robotic ventricle advances understanding of heart disease
Mujin TruckBot accelerates automated truck unloading
Mushiny Intelligent 3D sorter ramps up throughput, flexibility
NASAMOXIE completes historic oxygen-making mission on Mars
Neya Systems Development of cybersecurity standards harden AGVs
NVIDIA Nova Carter gives mobile robots all-around sight
Olive Robotics EdgeROS eases robotics development process
OpenAI LLMs enable embedded AI to flourish
Opteran Applies insect intelligence to mobile robot navigation
Renovate Robotics Rufus robot automates installation of roof shingles
Robel Automates railway repairs to overcome labor shortage
Robust AI Carter AMR joins DHL’s impressive robotics portfolio
Rockwell Automation Adds OTTO Motors mobile robots to manufacturing lineup
Sereact PickGPT harnesses power of generative AI for robotics
Simbe Robotics Scales inventory robotics deal with BJ’s Wholesale Club
Slip Robotics Simplifies trailer loading/unloading with heavy-duty AMR
Symbotic Walmart-backed company rides wave of logistics automation demand
Toyota Research Institute Builds large behavior models for fast robot teaching
ULC Technologies Cable Splicing Machine improve safety, power grid reliability
Universal Robots Cobot leader strengthens lineup with UR30