PMT and Nichirei Logistics Group Begin Demonstration Experiments for Frozen-Environment AMRs to Realize Sustainable Low-Temperature Logistics

PMT Corporation (Headquarters: Sue, Fukuoka, hereinafter "the Company") has partnered with Nichirei Logistics Group (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter "Nichirei Logistics Group") to begin demonstration experiments of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) designed for freezing environments.

This experiment is being conducted at Nichirei Logistics Group's R&D Center to verify the operational stability and practical effectiveness of the AMRs in an environment of -20°C.

## Background

In frozen warehouses, working in temperatures around -20°C imposes high physical strain on workers, making the resolution of labor shortages and the establishment of workplace safety significant challenges.

Furthermore, with the expansion of the frozen food market and the enforcement of the revised Logistics Efficiency Act requiring optimized logistics and reduced waiting times, labor-saving and advanced modernization in frozen warehouses have become critical themes for the entire industry.

To address these challenges through automation, the Company has been developing AMRs specifically for freezing environments and aims to establish a practical operation model through this experiment.

## Overview of Demonstration Experiments

This demonstration experiment includes the following verifications:

### Introduction and Verification of Freezing-Capable AMRs
- Operational validation using prototypes
- Control validation for single and multiple robot coordination
- Evaluation of durability and stable operation in freezing environments

### Application Validation in Practical Environments
- Application to actual operations, such as internal transport and temporary storage transport
- Validation of automated transport processes following truck unloading

### System Integration and Operational Optimization
- Digitization and visualization of transport processes
- Verification of efficient task distribution by multiple robots

## Technical Features

Emphasizing practicality in low-temperature logistics sites, the AMR possesses the following features:

- Low-temperature design for stable operation in frozen warehouses: Optimized sensors, batteries, and drive systems realize stable continuous operation in freezing environments of -20°C or lower.
- Stable operation possible across three temperature zones: Frozen, chilled, and ambient.
- Efficient in-warehouse logistics via high-precision autonomous navigation: Utilization of SLAM technology enables flexible path optimization even in dynamic environments.
- Scalability enabling introduction to existing warehouses: Can be introduced without large-scale facility renovations. Operational changes are handled via software, supporting the transport of diverse palette types.

## Expected Benefits

By automating transport processes previously dependent on human labor or forklifts, the system achieves both labor savings and increased efficiency:

- Reduction of physical workload and improved safety within freezers
- Shortened lead times through improved transport efficiency
- Addressing labor shortages through the promotion of labor savings
- Load balancing and improved processing capacity during peak times through continuous operation
- Foundation building for optimizing entire logistics operations

## Future Outlook

Through this experiment, the Company will verify the practicality of frozen-environment AMRs in low-temperature logistics. After establishing "stable operation" and "operational suitability" at the R&D Center, the Company will promote mass production and expand to multiple locations. In the future, the Company aims to build integrated logistics systems centered on AMRs to contribute to the optimization of the entire cold chain.