“In intralogistics, there is a growing need to automate an ever-wider range of tasks—from transport and material flow tasks to handling-related activities,” says Michael Lippert, Business Development Robotics and Intralogistics at Bosch Rexroth. “While mobile robotics is already in productive use in many applications today, humanoid approaches are becoming increasingly established—especially when flexibility, mobility, and the ability to perform variable tasks are required.”

Modular automation as the key to flexible robotics

Robotics applications place high demands on development, integration, and operation. Systems must adapt quickly, scale efficiently, and integrate seamlessly into existing infrastructures. Open and modular automation concepts are a central prerequisite for this.

With ctrlX AUTOMATION, Bosch Rexroth pursues an open platform approach that combines control, drive technology, software, and communication in a modular system. Open standards and interfaces enable users to combine components and functions as needed and to expand robotics solutions step by step—from mobile platforms to more complex robotics systems.

“Mobile Robotics” Solution Set: Quick Start, Flexible Implementation

The “Mobile Robotics” Solution Set bundles all components into a complete package for AMR solutions. It is based on ctrlX AUTOMATION and combines seamlessly coordinated hardware and software components as well as specialized apps within an open architecture. Manufacturers and system integrators can use it to rapidly implement mobile robotics solutions and flexibly adapt them to different application scenarios. Control, drive, communication, and software functions can be individually combined and easily integrated into existing IT and automation landscapes. This reduces engineering effort and shortens time-to-market.

Safe operation even in dynamic intralogistics environments

Another key focus is on safety and reliability. Safety-certified components support stable and safe operation even in dynamic intralogistics environments. Supplementary functions such as cloud-based fleet management solutions offer additional possibilities for the efficient operation of modern AGV and AMR fleets.

Humanoid Robotics: Between Vision and Industrial Practice

Meanwhile, humanoid robotics is gaining increasing importance. Fully humanoid systems are considered promising but are associated with high mechanical and safety-related complexity. A pragmatic approach involves implementing the functions of humanoid robotics step by step without replicating the complete humanoid design. “For many applications, it is not the humanoid appearance that is decisive, but the ability to grasp flexibly, move through space, and perform tasks in a variable manner. These functions can also be realized with mobile robot systems in which robot kinematics are used on driverless platforms,” says Lippert.

Robotic kinematics on mobile platforms

For example, AGVs or AMRs equipped with one or two robotic arms are used. These systems combine the mobility of driverless transport systems with handling-related functions, thereby enabling the automation of additional tasks along existing processes. Compared to fully humanoid robots, they offer lower mechanical complexity as well as greater stability and robustness. Bosch Rexroth is currently implementing several customer projects with robotic kinematics on mobile platforms and has now presented a mobile humanoid robot based on this development approach to the public for the first time.

A modular system for different robotic approaches

The implementation of such mobile and humanoid robotic solutions is also based on ctrlX AUTOMATION. Key components include the ctrlX CORE control platform, drive and motion solutions with ctrlX DRIVE, and apps for navigation, localization, and motion control. The system is complemented by integrated safety functions, including the new Safety PLC app. Thanks to its modular design, various levels of integration can be implemented—from mobile robotic solutions to component-based humanoid concepts.