Companies to pilot warehouse automation using humanoid robots and shuttle robots; RX platform 'PhysicalWorks' to handle robot training

Executives and officials from LG CNS and LX Pantos pose for a photo at the next-generation smart logistics MOU signing ceremony held at LG CNS headquarters. From fourth from right: LG CNS Executive Vice President Park Sang-gyun, LG CNS Executive Vice President Lee Jun-ho and LX Pantos Vice President Eo Jae-hyeok. [LG CNS]
Executives and officials from LG CNS and LX Pantos pose for a photo at the next-generation smart logistics MOU signing ceremony held at LG CNS headquarters. From fourth from right: LG CNS Executive Vice President Park Sang-gyun, LG CNS Executive Vice President Lee Jun-ho and LX Pantos Vice President Eo Jae-hyeok. [LG CNS]

LG CNS has teamed up with LX Pantos to build a logistics automation system linking humanoid robots with shuttle robots.

LG CNS signed an MOU with LX Pantos on Thursday to develop a robot-based next-generation smart logistics system. LX Pantos is a comprehensive logistics company with a network of more than 380 logistics hubs worldwide, offering end-to-end services spanning freight forwarding, contract logistics, last-mile delivery and e-commerce logistics.

Under the agreement, the two companies plan to deploy a robot-driven logistics automation system at LX Pantos's Megawise Cheongna logistics center.

LG CNS will first verify full-process automation at the logistics center by linking humanoid robots with shuttle robots. In one example workflow, a shuttle robot retrieves outbound goods from warehouse shelves and a humanoid robot receives the items and loads them onto automated sorting equipment or other robots. The sorted goods are then dispatched by destination.

LG CNS will train the robots using logistics site data gathered by LX Pantos. Robot training will rely on the company's own RX platform "PhysicalWorks Forge," while integrated operations will be managed through "PhysicalWorks Baton."

On the hardware side, the project will use LG CNS's logistics robot "Mobile Shuttle" — a product developed in-house alongside a wheel-type humanoid robot from Dexmate, a US robotics firm LG CNS invested in last March. The Mobile Shuttle travels through warehouse shelving at 1.5 meters per second and can carry up to 1,500 kilograms of goods per unit. Through the collaboration, LG CNS aims to reduce the burden of repetitive tasks at LX Pantos's logistics sites and create a more stable working environment.

The two companies also plan to build a demonstration space called the "TDL Lab" in the second half of this year to showcase their logistics automation process. They also intend to pursue commercialization of logistics robots for external customers.

"This MOU is a project to verify the applicability of various robots and training and operations platforms in real logistics environments," said Park Sang-gyun, head of LG CNS's telecommunications, retail and service division. "We will work with LX Pantos to improve productivity and operational efficiency at logistics sites."


chami@heraldcorp.com