Table of Contents
- BONSYSTEMS · CYCLOIDAL TECHNOLOGY
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- References
- Bonsystems
- 🔗 Get industry insights → www.bonsystems.com
As logistics automation expands, robots are becoming core components of modern logistics systems rather than simply serving as equipment for specific tasks. In the past, automation was largely based on fixed paths and repetitive operations using equipment such as conveyors and sorting systems. More recently, various types of robots have been introduced across processes such as picking, moving, sorting, and transporting goods.
The type of automation required at logistics sites varies depending on factors such as the size and shape of goods, transport distance, operating speed, and the need for collaboration with workers. For this reason, logistics robots, collaborative robots, mobile robots, and walking robots are used according to their respective roles. This shift is also increasing the importance of drive-unit components such as reducers and actuators.
The Background to the Expansion of Logistics Automation
Key Summary automation has expanded rapidly alongside the growth of the e-commerce market. As order volumes increase, delivery cycles shorten, and labor shortages become more challenging, the need for automation equipment and robots continues to grow.
Logistics automation has expanded rapidly alongside the growth of the e-commerce market. As order volumes increase and delivery cycles shorten, logistics centers are under increasing pressure to process higher volumes of goods in less time. Combined with growing difficulties in securing on-site labor, this has further increased the need for automation equipment and robots.
Initially, logistics automation was largely based on fixed paths and repetitive operations using conveyors, automatic sorters, and packaging equipment. Recently, however, the use of robots that directly pick and move goods, navigate autonomously within warehouses, or handle goods alongside workers has been increasing.
This shift shows that logistics automation is evolving from standalone equipment toward integrated systems in which robots, automation equipment, and control systems work together. At logistics sites, robots are increasingly treated not as simple auxiliary equipment but as important elements that improve operational efficiency and flexibility.
Types of Logistics Robots Used at Sites
Key Summary Robots used at logistics sites can be divided into several types depending on the task, including industrial robots, collaborative robots, mobile robots (AGV/AMR), and walking robots.
Robots used at logistics sites can be divided into several types depending on the task. Industrial robots can be used to pick, move, or sort goods at fixed workstations. In environments involving highly repetitive tasks or standardized goods, robotic pick-and-place systems can be particularly effective.
Collaborative robots can be used for automation tasks performed in close proximity to workers. Because logistics sites often handle goods of various sizes and shapes, collaborative robots can assist workers or take over selected repetitive tasks.
Mobile robots (AGV/AMR) transport goods within warehouses or logistics centers. AGVs are typically suited to fixed routes, while AMRs can navigate more flexibly by recognizing their surroundings. As a result, their use is expanding across a wide range of logistics environments.
Walking robots still have a limited range of applications, but their potential use is being explored in environments where wheeled robots have difficulty operating. In areas such as stairs, thresholds, and narrow passageways that are difficult for conventional mobile equipment to access, a legged design can offer an advantage.
The Roles of Collaborative Robots and Mobile Logistics Robots (AGV/AMR)
Key Summary In logistics automation, collaborative robots and mobile robots are two key types of robots that can perform complementary roles. When integrated, they can connect goods handling and transportation into a single automated process.
In logistics automation, collaborative robots and mobile robots can be used together while performing different but complementary roles. Collaborative robots are well suited to tasks that require robotic arm movements, such as picking, sorting, and placing goods into packaging processes. In environments where robots operate in the same space as workers, the system must be designed with both safety and operator convenience in mind.
Mobile robots (AGV/AMR) transport goods within logistics centers. By automating sections where workers would otherwise push carts or carry goods manually, mobile robots can allow workers to focus more on tasks that require judgment, such as inspection, packaging, and exception handling.
When the two types of logistics robots are integrated, goods handling and transportation can be connected into a single automation process. For example, a collaborative robot can pick and load goods, while a mobile robot transports them to the next process. Effective logistics automation therefore depends not only on the performance of individual machines but also on how well different systems work together.
The Potential of Humanoid Robots in Logistics
Key Summary In logistics automation, the potential use of humanoid robots is also being explored. Because humanoid robots have arms, legs, and body structures similar to those of humans, they may be able to perform movements similar to those used by human workers in existing logistics environments.
In the logistics automation field, the potential use of humanoid robots is also being explored. Humanoid robots are attracting attention because their human-like body structure may allow them to perform movements similar to those of human workers in existing logistics environments.
Many logistics centers are designed around human dimensions and movement patterns, with shelves, boxes, carts, and workstations arranged for human use. A humanoid robot may therefore be able to pick up and move goods or navigate through doors, aisles, and other spaces without requiring major changes to the existing environment.
However, humanoid robots should currently be viewed as a technology undergoing active development and demonstration rather than one that has already reached large-scale commercial deployment. For humanoid robots to take on a broader practical role at logistics sites, factors such as stable walking, object manipulation, power efficiency, durability, and serviceability must all be addressed.
Even so, logistics is one of the most promising environments for evaluating the potential of humanoid robots. Because many logistics tasks involve handling goods in spaces originally designed for people, humanoid robots may offer a different approach to automation from conventional equipment.
Logistics Robots and the Importance of Drive-Unit Components
Key Summary A logistics robot repeatedly grips, moves, stops, and changes direction. In this process, reducers and actuators are key components that generate and control the robot’s movement.
A logistics robot repeatedly grips, moves, stops, and changes direction. In this process, reducers and actuators are key components that generate and control the robot’s movement. The performance and structure of the drive unit can affect the robot’s overall size, load-handling capability, motion stability, and ease of maintenance.
In industrial and collaborative robots, stable joint operation is essential. Because the joints move repeatedly when picking up or moving goods, the reducer converts the motor’s rotation into the torque required for the task. In mobile robots, the wheel drive and steering systems are critical, and the drive unit must be able to transmit sufficient torque within a confined space.
In structures with many joints, such as humanoids or walking robots, the size and weight of the drive unit are also important design considerations. Because space inside each joint is limited, a thin, compact drive unit can provide greater flexibility in the overall robot design.
As logistics automation expands to include a wider variety of robots, drive-unit components must evolve to support different robot architectures and applications rather than being limited to a single type of use.
Bonsystems develops drive solutions for robot joints and automation equipment based on cycloidal reducer and actuator technology.
Applications of the Bonsystems BCSA in Logistics Automation
Key Summary Bonsystems develops drive solutions for robot joints and automation equipment based on cycloidal reducer and actuator technology. The BCSA is a drive solution that integrates cycloidal reduction technology into an actuator.
In logistics automation, various types of robots are used, including robot arms that pick and move goods, mobile robots that travel within warehouses, and automation equipment that operates alongside workers. In these applications, the drive unit is not simply a component that generates movement but a core element that can affect equipment size and structure, load-handling capability, and motion stability.
The BCSA is a drive solution that integrates cycloidal reduction technology into an actuator. Robot joints and automation equipment often need to accommodate the drive unit, wiring, sensors, and control components within a confined space. With its thin, compact structure, the BCSA can help reduce the amount of space required by the drive unit in these design environments.
Because a logistics robot repeatedly grips, moves, stops, and changes direction, a compact drive unit capable of stable torque transmission is important. The BCSA is designed with strong power transmission and stable operation in mind, based on a cycloidal reduction mechanism, and can be considered for joint drive units in logistics automation equipment or for drive units in transfer systems.
In addition, the BCSA’s slim structure can increase design flexibility. A thinner drive unit makes it easier to create a more compact joint profile while providing additional space for surrounding components and wiring paths. In environments where equipment size, operating radius, and movement paths are important, as with logistics robots, the size and thickness of the drive unit can directly affect the overall system design.
The BCSA applies Bonsystems’ Pinless cycloidal structure. This structure reduces the number of pin components used in conventional designs and simplifies the reducer’s internal structure. A simplified component structure can help streamline assembly and maintenance while also providing advantages when designing robots that require the drive unit to fit within a confined space.
Through the BCSA, Bonsystems offers an actuator solution designed to meet the demand for slim, compact drive units in logistics robots and automation equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Why do robots matter in logistics automation?
A. Logistics operations involve many repetitive tasks, such as moving, sorting, loading, and packaging goods, while also requiring high processing speed. Logistics robots can improve operational efficiency by automating these tasks and reducing the workload associated with repetitive manual operations.
Q2. What robots can be used in logistics automation?
A. Industrial robots, collaborative robots, mobile robots, and walking robots can be used at logistics sites. Industrial and collaborative robots are mainly used for picking and handling goods, while mobile robots transport goods within warehouses. Walking robots may be able to navigate terrain that wheeled mobile robots cannot easily access, potentially expanding automation into environments that are difficult for conventional mobile robots to reach.
Q3. How do the roles of collaborative robots and mobile robots differ?
A. Collaborative robots can be used for picking or sorting goods and assisting with packaging processes. Mobile robots (AGV/AMR) transport goods within warehouses or logistics centers. When the two are integrated, goods handling and transportation processes can be configured more flexibly.
Q4. What possibilities do humanoid robots have at logistics sites?
A. Humanoid robots are being explored for tasks such as picking up and moving goods using movements similar to those of human workers. They are attracting attention as a new approach to automation because they may be able to operate in environments with shelves, aisles, and workstations originally designed for people.
Q5. What advantage does the BCSA have in logistics automation equipment design?
A. The BCSA is an actuator that combines a frameless motor and reducer in a thin, compact structure. It can help use design space efficiently in robot joints or automation equipment where the drive unit and surrounding components must be integrated within a confined space.
References
• [1] Bonsystems Official Website — https://www.bonsystems.com
• [2] International Federation of Robotics (IFR) — https://ifr.org
• [3] Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement (KIRIA) — https://www.kiria.org
• [4] Korea Institute of Robotics & Technology Convergence (KIRO) — https://www.kiro.re.kr
