Seegrid Robotic Industrial Trucks Awarded Third Patent for Obstacle Detection System

Pittsburgh, PA -- (SBWire) -- 06/07/2012 --The leading robotic material handling company, Seegrid Corp., announced the issuance of US Patent No. 8,169,596 B2, relating to an obstacle detection system; formally known as “System and Method Using a Multi-Plane Curtain.”

Seegrid has received patents that cover the operation, design, and interaction of robotic industrial trucks, including patents on the use of evidence grid technology for navigation, signaling and communication with operators, and performing services with robots based on having awareness of the environment.

Mitchell Weiss, Chief Operating Officer at Seegrid explained, “As automated robotic industrial trucks are used in a wider variety of environments and operations, the effectiveness of obstacle detection systems has become more important for safe and productive operations. What has not been a big problem is now a limiting factor in trying to expand more markets—this patent addresses the issue. Previous sensing methods could only work in the forward direction. When more coverage was wanted, more sensors were needed, adding to cost and complexity, and reducing reliability. Instead of adding more sensors, Seegrid shaped the sensing region using mirrors, and created a three dimensional safety shield around three sides of the vehicle with just one sensor.”

Weiss went on to say, “This marks the third US patent awarded to Seegrid—with many more in process. It takes a long time to develop a technology worthy of patenting, and even more time to work through the patent award process. We are very proud of the work our product development and technical staff achieves…it illustrates that Seegrid continues to innovate essential technologies necessary for robotic industrial trucks as a standard of excellence, safety, and cost-savings in the workplace.”

Seegrid is the only supplier of commercial vision-guided vehicles, and has developed core technologies that make this possible. The allowance of this patent further solidifies Seegrid’ s leadership position in the $38 billion dollar material handling forklift market.

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Seegrid Corp. (www.seegrid.com) has pioneered technology which transforms industrial vehicles into un-manned, automated pallet trucks and tow tractors that operate without the need for wire, tape, laser or other costly automated guided vehicle (AGV) guidance systems. Seegrid offers solutions that optimize workflow processes by increasing productivity and reducing costs, creating economic and operational advantages.