In context
In April 2025, industrial automation was increasingly focused on bridging the gap between indoor and outdoor logistics. Traditional AGVs and AMRs struggled with uneven terrain and weather, limiting their use in complex facilities. Cartken, known for last-mile delivery robots, aimed to address this with a new industrial-grade mobile robot.
What was reported
Cartken unveiled the Hauler, a robust mobile robot designed for material handling across mixed indoor/outdoor environments. It targets manufacturing facilities, warehouses, distribution centers, corporate campuses, and life sciences settings. The robot leverages AI-powered camera-based autonomy trained on extensive last-mile delivery data, enabling navigation around people and obstacles.
Key specifications include an all-terrain capability (handling gravel, grass, uneven concrete), all-weather operation from -20°C to +50°C, and 24/7 navigation in any lighting. It carries up to 300 kg on flat surfaces and 250 kg on 10° slopes, with a top speed of 7.2 km/h and zero-point turning radius. The Hauler integrates with elevators, gates, and software systems for multi-level deliveries, and offers a 16-hour runtime with autonomous charging.
Cartken emphasizes fast, infrastructure-free deployment—operational within seven days—and flexible cargo options, including temperature-controlled compartments ranging from -80°C to +100°C. The company contrasts Hauler with traditional AGVs and AMRs, which often require fixed paths or are limited to indoor 2D navigation.
Why it mattered
The Hauler represented a shift toward more versatile autonomous solutions that could handle complex, mixed environments without costly infrastructure. This could accelerate adoption of mobile robots in industries requiring seamless indoor/outdoor logistics, potentially reducing deployment barriers and improving operational flexibility.
“We now transfer this technology to industrial and onsite logistics automation, meeting our customers’ demand for a robust robotic transport solution that can operate in more challenging environments and is much faster to deploy than traditional mobile robots.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2025-04-11 · “Cartken reveals new mobile robot for material handling”