Aethon: Automating Internal Logistics through Robotics

Robotics is revolutionizing the material handling and internal logistics of a variety of industries. In healthcare, for example, robots are being used for a wide range of applications including drug delivery, meal delivery, and moving inventory to nursing units. In manufacturing environments, they can be used to replenish supplies to manufacturing lines, or move finished goods to the warehouse. Organizations are recognizing the tasks associated with internal logistics are draining their organizational productivity and employee satisfaction.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, “Aethon was founded with a goal to develop an affordable, safe, and reliable autonomous mobile robot to automate all the delivery functions within an organization,” says Aldo Zini, President and CEO, Aethon. Though many universities and research groups attempted to develop autonomous robots in the past, Aethon was able to not only build but commercialize the product. “Technologically the company was little ahead of its time, for instance instead of using expensive laser scanner, we used a combination of sensors and motors,” he adds. From the business perspective, the company first targeted the logistics problem in hospitals by working with the clinicians, nurses and pharmacists. “It took a few years for the company to get the technology solid but thereafter Aethon grew over years through disrupting robotic innovations,” says Zini.

Aethon’s flagship product, TUG, is a versatile autonomous mobile robot used to transport materials. “TUGs use existing carts with their bases modified to fit onto the TUGs exchange platform. For example, carts in the hospital are used to deliver meals, clean linen, waste, and soiled linen– up to 1000 lbs. In addition, secured carts are available to deliver medications, specimens or other sensitive supplies,” says Zini. These secured carts even have secured biometric access. In other industries, large carts carrying components can be easily retrofit to be compatible with the TUG’s base.

Aethon has discovered that their success is as much about the enabling technology they have developed as it has been about the robot itself. Yes, the TUG can work in places where there are unexpected obstacles to navigate around, yet still stay on task.