UT01 - SOTO introduction

Usecase

Until now, production logistics have been carried out almost exclusively manually. Driverless transport systems have driven automation forward. SOTO goes one step further and brings materials directly to the assembly line, just-in-time and at different heights directly to the target compartment — completely autonomously. The initial setup is user-friendly and can be set up largely independently.

SOTO delivers a complete intralogistics solution. The SOTO fleet closes the gap between automated small parts warehouses and an automated production line.

Load carrier transport

Each SOTO picks and transports goods packed in standardised small load carrier boxes between flow racks and automated small parts warehouses.

SOTO typically transports between 20 to 45 load carriers per hour in a standard operating environment, ensuring timely and precise delivery of materials to the required locations.

Video: SOTO - automating material supply at MAN

Automated small parts warehouse

SOTO picks up boxes directly from the conveyor of the automated small parts warehouse. The transport order for this comes from the ERP system. Empty boxes can be returned the same way.

Example process: Supermarket

Supermarkets

SOTO takes over the transport from warehouse to buffer supermarkets and all the way to the production line.

Supermarkets are common in industrial material supply process in order to reduce response times.

Production Line

SOTO delivers boxes directly into the flow racks at the production line. The right material, at the right time, in the right place. Fully automatic and continuous.

Empty boxes are picked up and returned to the automated small parts warehouse.

SOTO

To operate SOTO successfully, the robot, the transported objects, and the physical environment used for operations must all be compatible.

Physical footprint (L × W)	2146 × 1060 mm
Virtual footprint with small safety field (L × W)	2430 x 1280 mm
Height (in operation)	2240 mm (laser scanner extended)
Empty Weight (depends on backpack configuration)	733 kg – 777 kg (741 kg with default configuration)
Maximum Payload (depends on backpack configuration)	207 kg – 251 kg (243 kg with default configuration)
Maximum Speed	1.5 m/s
Run Time without charging	up to 8 hours
Recharge Time	1.6 hours (5:1 ratio)

Load carrier data

SOTO supports small load carriers according to VDA 4500 (R-KLT, RL-KLT) and comparable small load carriers.

Minimum grasping height	400 mm (lateral grasping) 500 mm (frontal grasping)
Maximum grasping height, lateral/frontal grasping	1700mm if load carrier height <= 220mm 1640mm if load carrier height <= 280mm 1600 mm if load carrier height <= 320mm
Supported load carrier dimensions (L × W)	300 × 200 mm 400 × 300 mm 600 × 400 mm (tolerance: -1%/+0%)
Maximum weight per load carrier	20 kg (homogeneously distributed)
Supported load carrier heights (W > H)	80 – 320 mm (no items protruding from the box), the width must always be greater than the height
Max. number of KLTs per robot (depends on backpack configuration)	8 (600×400 mm) – 24 (300×200 / 400x300 mm)
Center of gravity of the payload	max. 2/3 to one side

	Recommended	Maximum
Width to drive slow (single lane)	1800 mm	1650 mm
Width to drive fast (single lane)	2800 mm	2510 mm
Height of passage during operation		2280 mm

More detailed corridor requirements can be found in the SOTO datasheet.

Corridors must be kept free at every height. In particular, shelf adapters must be considered when measuring corridor width.

	Recommended	Maximum
Maximum floor gap width for driving over	0 mm	10 mm
Height of passable floor unevenness	0 mm	5 mm
Maximum floor inclination		0°
Floor load capacity		1000 kg

Additional floor properties according to DIN 18202 – Industrial floors.

Temperature Range	15 °C – 35 °C
Maximum Temperature (short term, up to 1h)	40 °C
Air Moisture	< 95%, non-condensing
Floor	dry
Illumination	no direct “horizontal” light source

Components

SOTO is built in a modular fashion, with each component designed to fulfill a specific, independent task.

Drivebase

The omnidirectional drive enables precise manoeuvering even in the most restricted spaces.

With 3D cameras at the front and rear and a localization laser scanner at the top, the robot can navigate independently and react to changes in the environment.

Backpack

Backpack

SOTO can temporarily store multiple objects in the vehicle and transport them between source and sink.The backpack arrangement can be configured according to customer specifications for a maximised utilization level on every tour.

The backback is double-deep - meaning more than one identical box can be stored behind each other in every slot. Boxes can be retrieved with a tilting mechnism.

Gripper

The conveyor band gripper can move in height as well as deliver and pick up load carriers in all four directions - frontal, lateral left and right, and backwards into the backpack. Equipped with a range of sensors the gripper can detect the stored boxes and even compensate misalignments.

The gripped load carriers can be held in a press mechanism in the upper area of the robot while the gripper rotates underneath it, in order to change the orientation of the load carrier within the robot.

Safety

Safety

Certified safety laser scanners at the front and rear enable SOTO to navigate freely at up to 1.5 m/s. They also guarantee safe operation in parallel to people and other vehicles.

Depending on how close an obstacle comes, SOTO automatically reduces its speed until it stops or looks for an alternative route.