Humanoids and mobile manipulators in logistics and warehousing
Short answer
In a warehouse a humanoid or mobile manipulator is mainly interesting for variable handling in spaces designed for people: moving bins, handing over products, supplying workstations. For fixed, fast flows such as palletising at one location, a robot cell or cobot is usually better. Start with one clearly defined task under supervision.
Where a mobile manipulator fits
A mobile manipulator such as the Genie G2 has a humanoid upper body with two force-controlled arms on wheels. It can move between workstations and work in places made for people. That makes it suitable for tasks where a fixed robot is too rigid.
- Bringing bins or boxes from a rack to a workstation.
- Handing products to a packing or assembly station.
- Light order picking in clearly laid-out zones.
- Sorting returns into fixed categories.
- Moving material between departments, for example on the night shift under supervision.
Which solution suits which task?
| Task | Best first choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Palletising at a fixed location | Robot cell or cobot | Cycle time and repeatability count |
| Handling between workstations | Genie G2 | Mobile, two arms, works in spaces for people |
| Light handling in narrow aisles | G2 Air | Compact design |
| Heavier material handling | G2 Max | Built for heavier loads, specifications per quote |
| Rounds and inspection of the hall | D1 robot dog | Moves over obstacles and stairs |
You can read about the difference between the G2 versions in G2 Air vs G2 vs G2 Max.
What to look out for in a warehouse
- Floor and space: flat floors and enough width in aisles. Also read legs or wheels.
- Grip: boxes, bags and loose products each call for a different hand or gripper.
- Weight: the G2 carries 5 kg per arm. Heavier work calls for the G2 Max or another solution.
- Safety: the robot shares the space with people and sometimes with forklifts. A risk assessment is required.
- Systems: linking to your WMS makes the task smarter, but start simple.
Realistic expectations
Today a mobile manipulator does not take over the complete job of an order picker. It takes over one clearly defined task, so that employees keep time for exceptions, checks and customer orders that need attention. Its range grows with software updates.
How Humanoid-direct helps
We analyse your warehouse flows in an opportunity scan, test the task in a proof of concept and advise whether a robot cell is a better fit.
Frequently asked questions
Can a mobile manipulator drive through the warehouse on its own?
It moves between workstations. How autonomously depends on the environment and the layout. We test that in the proof of concept.
Can the robot lift pallets?
No, it is not made for that. The G2 carries 5 kg per arm. For pallets, forklifts, AGVs or palletising robots are more suitable.
Does it work in a cold store or freezer?
That depends on the version and conditions. The G2 is rated IP42. Discuss your situation with us before you assume anything.