Rethink Robotics debuts new portfolio of robots at IMTS 2024

After announcing a major relaunch and rebranding two weeks prior, Rethink Robotics unveiled a full portfolio of new robotics products at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2024. The trade show was held Sept. 9-14 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.

The company unveiled seven Rethink Reacher collaborative robots (cobots), two Rethink Ryder autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and the Rethink Riser mobile manipulator robot (MMR).

Industry insiders may remember Rethink’s former flagship cobot, Sawyer, because of its seven-axis robot arm architecture, hand-wrist camera, and smiling eyes. The company said it has grown and learned in the last years, claiming today’s portfolio is much more mature and straightforward in the ability to handle industry needs and user expectations.

Rethink Robotics is celebrating its comeback with a renewed company vision, aiming to serve the North American market with better, faster, and stronger products. Rethink said its mission is to revolutionize collaborative robotics by offering flexible and dependable advanced robotic and automation products that can be seamlessly integrated into diverse workplace environments and easily adapt to diverse industrial manufacturing and logistics applications.

Ryder AMRs can transport up to 3,086 pounds

Two models are available for the Ryder AMR platform. The light-duty MRE 550 model can handle loads of up to 1,212 pounds, and the heavy-duty MRE 1400 model can handle loads of up to 3,086 pounds. Both robots come with an integrated lift function.

Rethink said its Ryder AMR line offers multi-detection technologies with 360-degree sensing for analyzing and responding to real-time changes in the environment, which can help ensure workplace safety. Ryder AMRs navigate independently without the need for additional components, which Rethink said can deliver efficient intralogistics with flexibility.

Ryder AMRs, featuring open architecture low-level software and SLAM navigation, are suitable for intralogistics operations, including laboratory automation and stock replenishment. Source: Rethink Robotics

Low-level controllers and sensor data are accessible through open architecture software compatible with third-party applications. A simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) system provides environmental visualization for pallet identification, dynamic obstacle avoidance, and path planning.

With a compact design that can allow for easy navigation through tight spaces, Rethink said its Ryder AMR line is ideal for a variety of applications that require moving various loads and containers, such as laboratory automation or stock replenishment.

Reacher designed for machine tending, palletizing, and bin picking

The Reacher line includes seven new cobot models - RE 07, RE 09, RE 13, RE 16, RE 21, RE 30, and RE 30L - which can handle loads ranging from 15 to 66 pounds. In addition to the cobots’ improved design, Rethink said their hardware can deliver increased precision, speed, and durability, enhancing their capabilities for industrial use. Reacher cobot arms are supported by an IP65 rating for use in wet and dusty environments.

Reacher cobots offer a precision within 0.03 millimeter pose repeatability. Depending on the model, maximum speed ranges from 120 to 200 degrees per second. Reacher cobots feature collision detection to ensure workplace safety, and a user interface that Rethink said is intuitive, feels natural, and is easy to use.

Reacher cobot arms, with collision detection, custom accessories, 0.03 mm pose repeatability, and an IP65 rating, can perform machine tending, palletizing, and bin picking. Source: Rethink Robotics

Rethink said competitive pricing and customizable options can make robotic automation accessible for every need. The Reacher line comes with connectivity to a wide range of accessories, such as grippers, vision systems, rails, and other end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) and peripheral tools.

At IMTS 2024, Rethink unveiled the robots and showcased integration for machine tending, palletizing, and bin picking.

Riser mobile manipulation robot combines Reacher and Ryder

Rethink said its Riser MMR can allow a single AMR to serve multiple stationary cobot applications. The robot combines a Ryder AMR with a Reacher cobot and an independent, detachable battery box. Rethink said the combined MMR can allow mobile manipulation to be performed at new levels of efficiency.

Reacher and Ryder each have their own battery packs, requiring separate charging. Reacher offers a 22-hour uptime. Ryder can be charged either manually or through wireless inductive charging. Each Ryder comes equipped with three or four battery units based on its size. If higher uptime is required, customers can request up to two additional battery units per AMR.

The control box that comes with Reacher is a compact and integrated unit designed to manage and control the robot’s operations. This control box houses the essential electronics, including the robot’s processor, power supply, and communication interfaces. It serves as the central hub for executing commands, processing sensor data, and motion control for coordinating the robot’s movements. The Rethink Riser’s control box is added as an attachment onto Ryder so it can fully move along with it in combination with the Reacher cobot arm.

Rethink said its Riser MMR is for intermittent pick-and-place operations and machine tending applications where cycle times are relatively long, making it difficult to justify the purchase of a dedicated cobot for each station. Rethink Riser can allow flexible cobot redeployment, which can allow each component to achieve its maximum ROI potential.