Seegrid Robotic Industrial Trucks Profiled in Pallet Enterprise

Pittsburgh, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/02/2012 -- Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Seegrid Corp. (http://www.seegrid.com) brings robotic vision-guided technology to the material handling industry. Seegrid offers solutions that optimize workflow processes by increasing productivity and reducing costs, creating economic and operational advantages. Seegrid was recently profiled in Pallet Enterprise by columnist, Rick LeBlanc; the journalist explored the impacts of materials handling automation on pallet design and the importance of improved quality in modern systems.

The Pallet Enterprise article reported that, “Pallets certainly can be engineered to do the job, but not necessarily all are, according to David Noble, director of sales and marketing at Seegrid Corp. Unlike the automated storage systems covered in previous installments, Seegrid designs robotic vision-guided technology that perform much as manually operated equipment does, except with one minor omission - the operator. It transforms industrial vehicles into un-manned, automated pallet trucks and tow tractors that move unit loads from point A to point B. And with its technology it achieves this without the need for wire, tape, laser or other costly guidance systems that are found in other automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems.”

LaBlanc asked the Seegrid executive if his technology would require any change in pallet design to work with their technology. Noble stressed that the actual engagement with the pallet is no different than with manually operated equipment. In fact, at this stage of the technology’s evolution, an operator still steers the pallet truck into the pallet, before programming it to take the pallet away. That being said, the pallet truck has standard pallet truck forks. They will soon offer the technology on a forklift, but it will have standard forks. Bottom line, David stated that CHEP, GMA, PECO and iGPS pallets all work well with their automation, generally speaking, but all can have their challenges in a small minority of applications.

Seegrid will be a significant part of MODEX 2012 in Atlanta, GA February 6 – 9th. Exhibiting at booth 3100, Seegrid is proud to participate in one the largest expositions for manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the Americas in 2012. The show is designed to offer supply chain efficiency solutions, learning opportunities and information by showcasing the products and services of exceptional companies, like Seegrid.