) from different manufacturers have proven successful. Former Wireion CSO Julian Seume (now head of the wireless division at Puls) has announced similar plans for compatible wireless charging of mixed AGV fleets.

Contactless, inductive charging interfaces could become a major success here, thanks to a system capable of providing all common voltages and charging currents. If this technology succeeds, any battery-powered vehicle could be charged at a single charging point – whether it's a forklift, a mobile robot, or a pallet truck. The manufacturer or the type of battery would then become irrelevant.

Companies often need multiple AGV or AMR systems from different manufacturers to assemble a fleet that meets their needs. Coordinating various vehicle brands with individual control solutions has so far hampered the efficient use of these vehicles. Developments such as VDA 5050 or the American Massrobotics standard have proven extremely useful on the software side, says Seume, but could also find their counterpart in wireless charging technology. The experts at Puls , , as previously reported, and are now planning to expand their business with inductive charging technology. The energy supply for mixed fleets of the future will play a central role in the segment of mobile robotics and autonomous industrial truck applications.

Fig.: Wiferion

Up to now, each manufacturer has equipped its vehicles with its own proprietary charging solutions. These range from battery charging systems with sliding contacts and inductive current conductors integrated into the floor to charging concepts with plug connectors. In some cases, users operating mixed fleets have to build a separate charging infrastructure for each manufacturer, as the chargers are not compatible with each other. This not only increases the complexity and susceptibility to failure of the entire system, but also the costs for installing and maintaining redundant energy systems. Furthermore, if multiple charging zones with different charging technologies have to be installed, valuable floor space is lost.  

Experts see a solution to the problem – unsurprisingly – in wireless charging with inductive point chargers like the etaLINK system. " With our fast-charging systems, the confusion of different plugs and charging contacts is a thing of the past " explains Seume. etaLINK transfers energy magnetically and without physical contact to the vehicle battery. Physical charging interfaces are not required. When a robot drives up to the charging point, the charging process starts within a second. The special feature: The charging system can generate all common voltages and charging currents. This means that any battery-powered vehicle can be charged at a charging point – whether it's a forklift, a mobile robot, or a pallet truck. The manufacturer or the type of battery installed is also irrelevant. The vehicles simply need to have receiver electronics, which can be integrated in just a few steps.

The central argument for wireless charging as the new standard is its simplicity. It requires less technology, less space, is robust, and increases the productivity of the vehicle fleet. Instead of driving to a separate battery charging station each time, the vehicles are automatically supplied with energy during their workflow at frequently visited points in the warehouse or production area using so-called " in-process charging, " without having to interrupt the logistical processes for charging breaks. This allows the robots to use even the shortest stops of just a few seconds, for example at a transfer station, for efficient intermediate charging. Seume explains: " With our technology, the robots require less battery capacity. The installed batteries can be significantly smaller, which frees up valuable installation space and reduces the costs of the energy system and thus the entire vehicle . "

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