The robot, which was developed by Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML, can pick up cargo with its arms, allowing it to carry out tasks such as handling hazardous goods, transporting parcels, relieving employees during lifting and overhead work, procuring materials and providing support during the load and unloading of aircraft.
It has a top speed of 60 km/h and can transport a load of up to 100kg.
Fraunhofer says it can operate alone or with others and its manoeuvrability means it can operate in various locations indoors and outdoors.
Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport, says, “The development and expansion of the cargo and logistics sector are essential components of our corporate strategy. We welcome every initiative to optimise and digitalise handling processes. The evoBOT will facilitate the day-to-day work of our employees in the cargo area and make the workplace more attractive.”
Professor Michael ten Hompel, Managing Director of Fraunhofer IML, adds, “Our evoBOT is the beginning of a new population of autonomous vehicles and robots. With its arms and the fact that it moves on two wheels, it represents a step on the path to the humanoid future of robotics. The practical test carried out at Munich Airport impressively underpins the potential of this development. The evoBOT can work as a fellow colleague in a wide range of applications.”
The test was carried out under the Digital Testbed Air Cargo programme and the evoBOT was developed with funds from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.