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SVTL meets in a historic setting
The general assembly of the Swiss Association for Temperature-Controlled Logistics at Lenzburg Castle on May 8th will address, in addition to the usual agenda items, personnel management, modern advertising for skilled workers on social media and the question of whether humanoid robots will one day be helpful .
MAGA in the approach path
German technology remains highly regarded when it comes to rapid material handling, the elimination of weaknesses, and service quality. Following successful projects in Oklahoma and Texas, the steel trader " Steel and Pipe Supply " (SPS) in Kansas City once again relied on Kasto saws and storage systems.
Rent warehouse equipment instead of buying it
Bito is launching an offensive with an economical alternative for companies that want to re-equip, expand, or temporarily supplement their warehouse and production areas, but don't want to tie up their capital long-term: renting instead of buying is the motto. The advantages – especially in " dynamic times " – are obvious.
«Kanpai» with sake on the pharmaceutical chain
Logistics provider Yusen is presenting an expanded global platform for the healthcare sector at LogiPharma in Vienna, where companies such as Novartis, Bayer, Takeda, and hospital supplier UCB are currently participating. The platform focuses on the professional delivery of specialized healthcare solutions.
Streamlined logistics
Coop's own rail connection for urban logistics in Zurich, streamlined logistics vehicles and the outsourcing of all operating room logistics in a cooperation between the Seeschau Clinic and the Swiss Post are the projects that are entering the final sprint for this year's Swiss Logistics Award from GS1.
Vacuum technology makes mobility possible
Compressed air has traditionally been used primarily for fixed installations. Schmalz's vacuum grippers also mainly operate with lines that often have to run across halls and facilities. However, mobile robotics increasingly requires flexible solutions – a need that Schmalz now intends to address more effectively.
A foray into drive technology
Safelog, the specialists for software for controlling intralogistics processes, have entered into a cooperation with the drive experts from SEW Eurodrive at LogiMAT in order to jointly develop a high-performance software for controlling mobile and stationary processes in intralogistics.
Networking with perspectives
“Never walk alone” could be the motto of a networking event hosted by the consulting experts from “Adnovum”, where the Digital Product Passport (DPP), cybersecurity and IT opportunities with Petra Merino (GS1 Switzerland) and security expert Andreas Achterholt are on the agenda on May 7th in Zurich.
Maintenance in Austria
With a new workshop in Obersiebenbrunn near Vienna, rail manufacturer Stadler is expanding its capacity for the commissioning, approval, and servicing of modern rail vehicles in Austria. The workshop has been used to maintain Westbahn's high-speed trains since March 2026.
Idealworks pushes into the US market
Idealworks, part of the Munich-based Agile Robots Group, with more than 1,700 AMRs and AGVs worldwide and one of the pioneers in industrial automation through AI in robot-controlled logistics processes, has founded a US company headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.
Autonomous reverse coupling
Autonomous reverse coupling
ASI Logistics and sensor manufacturer Sick have jointly solved the problem of autonomous reversing to approach trailers – one of the final steps towards fully autonomous shunting operations. ASI uses a robust Vehicle Automation Kit, while Sick supplies the 2D LiDAR sensors.
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) provides remote monitoring, teleoperation and fully automated solutions to customers worldwide in the logistics, mining, agriculture, automotive, public administration and manufacturing sectors from its headquarters and a 100-hectare test site in northern Utah.
Aaron Rothmeyer, Product Manager at Sick in the USA: “Sick’s long-standing experience with optical devices is evident in everything from sophisticated sensors to individual components. Finally, Sick is also significantly involved in the creation and updating of global safety standards.”
Kingpin in sight
For autonomous coupling to function correctly, several technical details must be known. The autonomous vehicles must know the position and height of the trailer's kingpin, which they reverse towards. The kingpin is the device under the trailer that connects to the tractor unit's fifth wheel coupling and secures the trailer to the tractor. The tractor unit must be able to control the kingpin connection and must be able to autonomously engage the trailer.
Photos: Sick
ASI Logistics uses a state-of-the-art automated guided vehicle (AGV) to control its autonomous shunting vehicles. Inside the AGV is the tractor unit's Vehicle Control Unit (VCU). The VCU controls all of the vehicle's functions when it is in autonomous mode. High-quality data transmission from the sensors to the VCU is key to autonomous maneuvering into trailers. ASI uses two 2D LiDAR sensors: the LMS1000 for the kingpin position and the TIM551 for the kingpin height.
When reversing, the two 2D LiDAR sensors detect the location of the trailer's kingpin and transmit this data to the tractor unit's VCU. The VCU then controls the throttle, brakes, steering, and fifth wheel coupling to reverse the trailer until a secure connection is established with the kingpin. Once the coupling is complete, the sensors indicate that the tractor unit is securely coupled, allowing the robot arm to connect the necessary cables and proceed with the rest of the process.
The entire process is carried out using ASI's Mobius software, the command and control software for autonomous vehicles, which, according to the manufacturer, has already completed millions of test hours. Mobius displays vehicle movements in real time, the vehicle status, kingpin reports, and robot arm control – all from a single operating unit that can be located on-site or anywhere else in the world.
www.sick.com
