August 17, 2017 – AutoGuide introduces a mobile robot tugger, the MAX 15. This vehicle is capable of towing 15,000 pounds. The MAX 15 is designed, engineered and constructed by AutoGuide in the US to be a tugger style mobile robot.
Designed for manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facilities, the tugger’s load capacity boosts operational productivity by enabling it to move more loads with fewer vehicles. Traveling in both forward and reverse directions, its electric hitch automatically connects to one or more carts before hauling them between pickup and delivery destinations at speeds up to 3.8 miles per hour.
The MAX 15 will be available with 2 choices of navigation systems, magnetic induction guidance technology, and natural feature guidance (available in early 2018). For operational control, each vehicle can be programmed to follow a new path or make more (or fewer) stops with a wireless tablet pendant that includes an interface.
Like all AutoGuide products, the MAX 15 is constructed with standard components that can be accessed for routine maintenance or repairs. They are also engineered with a modular design that allows the vehicles to be configured with a choice of different components to accommodate specific handling needs. AutoGuide will be releasing both man-aboard and forked configurations of the tugger base unit later in the year.
Other standard features include opportunity charging to keep the vehicles running 24/7, an RFID reader/writer to program tags directly from the vehicle, and a color human-machine interface (HMI) on the vehicle.
The MAX 15 is built in AutoGuide’s assembly plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.