For transport between fixed handover points, first consider an AMR (autonomous mobile robot) with a suitable attachment or a planned handover station. Mobile manipulation is worth exploring when different items need to be picked up and put down at existing workstations. This is not approval for operational use: you’ll need a risk assessment for your specific operation and, for machinery placed on the EU market before 20 January 2027, compliance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, as explained by the European Commission.
You want to move containers or carts between known points and need to choose the right payload, routes and handover arrangements. Mobile Industrial Robots and KUKA describe transport platforms designed for tasks like these.
You need to pick up or put down items at existing workstations, so you’re considering mobile manipulation in a limited pilot first. Fraunhofer IPA describes a material handling demonstrator featuring a Unitree G1.
You’re planning movement and picking tasks in areas used by employees. The German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) identifies hazards associated with vehicle movements; safety measures must be tailored to the specific workflow.
When standardised load carriers need to move between fixed points, a transport platform is usually the most obvious option to assess first. If different items need to be picked up at existing workstations, consider mobile manipulation as a limited pilot; Fraunhofer IPA points out that a demonstration alone doesn’t prove a process is ready for production.
Worth considering when: different items need to be picked up, transported and put down as part of the same workflow.
Things to consider: the type of gripper, the actual arm payload and the safe, repeatable performance of the entire workflow must be assessed at the site.
Worth considering when: containers, carts or shelving need to move between set points, and handover can be handled separately.
Things to consider: platform payload is not the same as gripping capability; the attachment, load securing and handover equipment must suit the task.
Worth considering when: routes may change, but handovers can be standardised at a small number of fixed points.
Things to consider: the interface between the vehicle and the station needs its own planning and a safety assessment of the entire process.
| Question to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Complete transport workflow | Ask for a demonstration of the full workflow, including the load carrier, handover heights, pick-up and drop-off, and the required attachment or gripper. | I want to move containers between fixed handover points and need to know whether pick-up and drop-off work as part of the same process. Around 28% of consumers put the complete transport workflow first. |
| Gripping capability and payload | Check the items’ weight and shape, the gripper supplied with the model on offer, the load’s centre of gravity and tests using your actual containers. | When handling different items, I’d first check whether the specific configuration can grip them and carry them throughout the intended workflow. Around 22% of consumers prioritise gripping capability and payload. |
| Safety in shared operations | Include routes, areas where people and vehicles meet, load securing, safety measures, training and responsibilities in the risk assessment. | If employees use the same areas, I need the planned use and its hazards to be assessed. Around 22% of consumers put safety in shared work areas first. |
| Routes and integration | Check aisle and doorway widths, flooring, gradients, pedestrian traffic, IT interfaces and communication with stations for the specific configuration. | In an existing warehouse, I want to know whether the vehicle and handover points will fit the current layout. Around 17% of consumers prioritise routes and integration. |
| Support and total costs | Get quotes for commissioning, training, spare parts, response times and maintenance for the exact model and site. | Before buying, I want responsibilities and ongoing support for the site set out in the contract. Around 11% of consumers focus on service and total costs. |
Mobile Industrial Robots lists the MiR250’s maximum payload as 250 kg; this refers to the platform. Unitree lists an arm payload of around 2 kg for the G1 and around 3 kg for the G1 EDU. These figures describe different capabilities and aren’t directly comparable.
Ask for a demonstration of the complete pick-up, transport and drop-off cycle using the intended load and the exact configuration.
Depending on the workflow, you may also need a suitable attachment, gripper or handover station.
Fraunhofer IPA has demonstrated material handling with a Unitree G1. This doesn’t prove that a safe, complete transport system is available for operational use at your site.
Limit a pilot to clearly defined tasks, and agree on evidence requirements, stop conditions and responsibilities in advance.
Integration and safety assessment may require additional project work and coordination on safety measures.
Routes, trapping points and falling loads all depend on the site. Product labelling doesn’t automatically assess the hazards associated with the workplace process.
Check the product documentation and workplace risk assessment separately. Under Section 5 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must assess work-related hazards.
Depending on the findings, you may need safety measures, training or changes to traffic routes.
The MiR250 is a mobile platform for internal transport, particularly where standardised load carriers and handovers are used.
The KMP 600P is a mobile transport platform for material supply and point-to-point transport in production settings.
The G1 and G1 EDU are humanoid platforms that could be considered for testing mobile manipulation in a limited pilot.
Agile ONE was announced by its manufacturer as a humanoid robot for industrial tasks, including material handling.
The 4NE1 is worth considering when assessing mobile manipulation in an industrial setting.
This selection includes Unitree G1 models for assessing humanoid mobile manipulation. A product description or pilot doesn’t replace an assessment of the specific configuration and workplace safety plan.
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Worth considering for a limited pilot assessing mobile object manipulation; the product name doesn’t confirm that the transport process is ready for production.
The product description mentions force-controlled hands for object manipulation and states that SDK/API is currently unavailable. Check in advance whether the integration access you need will be provided.
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Worth considering as a humanoid platform for assessing mobile manipulation in a limited pilot; the model name alone doesn’t prove it’s suitable for a particular transport workflow.
The product description lists 29 degrees of freedom in total, including 16 joint degrees of freedom. These figures describe the model configuration, not the payload or performance of a complete transport cycle.
An AMR is the first option to assess when a suitable load carrier can travel between defined points and pick-up and drop-off can be handled without changing manual tasks. If the workflow involves different picking tasks at existing workstations, you can assess mobile manipulation in a limited pilot. Platform payload and arm payload describe different capabilities.
Assess hazards such as collisions, crushing, tipping and falling loads on the actual traffic route, then put appropriate safety measures and training in place. BAuA describes risks associated with mobile work equipment; Fraunhofer IPA highlights the additional challenges of safety-related functions in humanoid applications.
Ask for separate costs for the attachment or gripper, handover point integration, training, maintenance and service for the specific model and site. Also agree the scope of service, response times and responsibilities in the contract.
According to the European Commission, machinery placed on the EU market before 20 January 2027 must comply with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. When purchasing, check the actual date and circumstances in which it is placed on the market, along with the documentation for the specific configuration.
No. The European Commission describes conformity assessment as part of the obligations involved in placing a product on the market. Under Section 5 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must also assess the hazards associated with the specific use and identify suitable measures.