SESTO Robotics, a Singapore-based developer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), launched a bi-directional AMR called SESTO Magnus that carries loads up to 300kg. SESTO Magnus is designed to automate material handling processes in manufacturing, commercial and healthcare industries.

SESTO Magnus can autonomously travel through spaces as narrow as 0.9 meters wide, while avoiding obstacles in its path. Its bi-directional, same-speed capability means the AMR can reverse out of dead ends without doing a spot turn.

Using a single mobile platform, SESTO Magnus can be fitted with various top modules that are customizable to customer requirements. Powered by SESTO’s proprietary interface, operators can deploy SESTO Magnus for material transportation using a tablet or laptop.

Equipped with low-range 270 degree 2D LiDAR sensors on the front and rear, the SESTO Magnus offers autonomous navigation and obstacle detection capabilities. The robot has a runtime of up to 10 hours on a single charge and fully re-charges its battery in three hours.

“With the world easing into the COVID-19 new normal, there is an accelerated urgency for manufacturers and non-manufacturing industries to quickly automate their processes while ensuring safe management measures such as staggered workforce or spilt team arrangements,” said SESTO Robotics CEO Ang Chor-Chen.

He added, “Current manual handling and transportation processes are often time-consuming and error-prone. In addition, repeated manual handling of heavy loads may lead to labour injuries and accidents. With Sesto Magnus, it reduces the dependency on manual labor, which has become a priority for many companies in recent months, as COVID-19 caused major disruptions to the availability of on-premise employees.”

SESTO also produces a mobile manipulator called SESTO Prime, the SESTO HealthGUARD disinfection robot, and the SESTO Element AMR.

The global AGV & AMR market is expected to grow from USD 2.2 billion 2020 to USD 9.9 billion in 2023, according to Interact Analysis. While COVID-19 has delayed some automation projects, AMR revenue growth is predicted to double in 2021. The 2023 revenues of the AMR and AGV market is predicted to be nearly $600 million higher post-COVID-19.