In the warehousing and logistics industry, ensuring worker safety and operational efficiency are paramount. The fast-paced nature of these environments, coupled with labor shortages and inexperience among staff, poses significant challenges. To address these issues, automated forklifts, including fully automated and semi-automated vehicles, have been increasingly deployed. However, the adoption and scalability of these systems have been limited due to their constrained spatial awareness capabilities.

Traditional Approaches and Their Limitations

Reliance on 2D Lidar Sensors

Many automated systems rely on multiple 2D lidar sensors for obstacle detection and navigation. Typically, these systems include one 2D lidar mounted near the floor to detect low-level objects and another positioned higher to identify reflectors or waypoints for localization and navigation. While these systems represent an improvement in safety, they have significant limitations. They often miss detecting critical obstacles such as rope safety barriers, forklift tines, and low-profile ground objects like empty pallets.

Inadequate Spatial Awareness

The constrained capabilities of 2D lidar sensors result in limited spatial awareness. This limits the effectiveness of these systems in dynamic and complex warehouse environments. Consequently, accidents still occur despite the safety improvements offered by these traditional approaches.

The Revolutionary Solution: Balyo and Ouster Partnership

Enhanced Safety with 3D Lidar Technology

To overcome the limitations of traditional systems, Balyo, a leader in material handling automation, has partnered with Ouster, a provider of state-of-the-art 3D lidar technology. Balyo's latest platform leverages Ouster's 3D lidar to significantly improve obstacle detection, navigation accuracy, and startup time for warehouse customers. This innovative collision avoidance system provides robots with a comprehensive real-time view of the warehouse environment. It accurately detects the size of objects and people in close proximity to the vehicle, enabling proactive sensing of potential hazards and prevention of accidents.

Improved Efficiencies with 3D Navigation

Balyo's new navigation system, powered by Ouster's 3D sensors, eliminates the need for additional sensors on robots. The wide field of view of 3D lidar improves navigation and reduces the number of sensors required. Unlike traditional systems that depend on 2D lidar and fixed infrastructure, Balyo's 3D navigation system does not necessitate additional infrastructure installation. This simplifies the installation process, reduces costs, and enables customers to deploy the system quickly, profiting immediately from its benefits.

Automation Built for Scale

With enhanced localization and object detection capabilities, Balyo's autonomous systems can effectively operate in highly dynamic and complex warehouse environments. These systems bring autonomy to narrow aisles, congested areas, and constantly changing warehouses. This flexibility translates into increased efficiency and productivity, as the vehicles seamlessly adapt to the ever-changing demands of the warehouse ecosystem.

Conclusion

The partnership between Balyo and Ouster represents a significant breakthrough in enhancing warehouse safety and efficiency. By leveraging the power of 3D lidar technology, Balyo has overcome the limitations of traditional systems and delivered a comprehensive solution that addresses the challenges faced by warehousing and logistics companies. The comprehensive real-time view provided by Ouster's 3D lidar enables Balyo's robots to accurately detect objects and people, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring worker safety. Moreover, the simplified installation process and reduced costs associated with the 3D navigation system make it an attractive option for warehousing customers looking to improve their operational efficiency. This innovative partnership paves the way for a safer and more efficient future in the warehousing industry.