In a strategic move to enhance the performance and efficiency of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), OMRON has officially certified Wiferion’s inductive charging technology for its LD series robots. This partnership enables integrators and distributors worldwide to implement Wiferion's cutting-edge solution, as demonstrated in successful deployments by RAMP, a Samuel Automation company.
Enhancing AMR Productivity with Inductive Charging
Wiferion’s wireless charging system offers fast, high-efficiency power delivery of up to 60 amps. By significantly reducing the time required for AMRs to recharge, this technology maximizes uptime and improves overall system productivity. Unlike conventional contact-based charging methods, which are prone to wear and tear, inductive charging eliminates mechanical connections, making the system maintenance-free and highly durable.
Seamless Charging Integration for Continuous Operation
Wiferion’s solution enables in-process charging at designated stations, allowing AMRs to recharge while remaining operational. This innovation is particularly beneficial for systems with power-intensive add-ons, such as articulated arms and active conveyors, ensuring they receive a constant power supply. Another major advantage of Wiferion’s inductive charging is its ability to charge AMRs from underneath, seamlessly integrating into the facility’s infrastructure. This eliminates the need for manual docking, making it ideal for mobile robots with oversized accessories or trolleys.
A notable implementation of this technology is a large-scale deployment at a nine-million-square-foot automotive manufacturing facility in North America, carried out by RAMP. The integration of OMRON’s AMRs with Wiferion’s wireless charging system has helped optimize throughput, reduce fleet size, and eliminate idle charger space.
“Combining Wiferion’s wireless charging system with OMRON’s AMRs allowed us to solve a tough throughput problem for our customer, reduce fleet size, and save valuable floor space by eliminating idle charger space. This development ultimately led to the most cutting-edge solution," said Mike Balzan, Director of Sales at RAMP.
Meeting Cleanroom Standards with Contactless Charging
Wiferion’s inductive charging technology has been certified for ISO Class 4 by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA. This certification makes it possible to safely charge and operate AMRs in cleanroom environments, where contamination from mechanical contact charging can be a concern. The fully sealed and contact-free design prevents particle abrasion and ensures a contaminant-free workspace.
“Wiferion’s wireless charging technology is the perfect complement to our opportunity charging feature available in FLOW 4.0.3 and above,” said Kyle Hable, Group Product Manager, Mobile Robotics at OMRON. “This allows us to offer a certified option suited for industries requiring stringent standards, such as automotive, semiconductor manufacturing, and cleanroom applications.”
Advancing Interoperability in AMR Energy Supply
The global deployment of Wiferion’s technology underscores the growing need for standardized energy solutions in automation. As businesses integrate mixed fleets of AMRs and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), the challenge of unifying charging infrastructure becomes critical. Wiferion and OMRON address this issue by promoting an interoperable energy supply solution with inductive charging.
With the rollout of Wiferion technology for the LD series, OMRON reinforces its mission to standardize energy and automation processes, increasing efficiency in AMR-driven material transportation. The adoption of inductive charging simplifies fleet management, reduces space requirements by eliminating designated charging zones, and lowers operational costs by supporting multi-brand compatibility.
“With the introduction of wireless charging, we are pioneering a new era of AMR interoperability. Our commitment is to establish a unified charging strategy for all OMRON mobile robots, eliminating vendor lock-in and reducing reliance on costly proprietary infrastructure,” added Kyle Hable.
Matthieu Ebert, Director Product & Technology at Wiferion - a PULS business unit, emphasized the impact of the collaboration: “With OMRON’s certification of our inductive charging technology, we are achieving a significant milestone. Integrators worldwide now have access to a reliable and high-performance wireless charging solution that maximizes uptime and enables new automation possibilities.”
A Future-Ready Charging Solution for AMRs
The partnership between OMRON and Wiferion marks a transformative step in AMR energy management. By eliminating charging downtime and offering a scalable, maintenance-free solution, the companies are setting new standards in automation. As industries continue to push for greater efficiency and seamless operation, the adoption of wireless charging technology is poised to become the new norm for autonomous mobile robotics.