LG CNS, LX Pantos team up to build humanoid robot-powered logistics automation system

LG CNS has partnered with LX Pantos to build a logistics automation system integrating humanoid robots and shuttle robots.

LG CNS announced Thursday it signed an MOU with LX Pantos to develop a robot-based next-generation smart logistics system. LX Pantos is a comprehensive logistics company with a network of more than 380 logistics hubs worldwide, offering services spanning freight forwarding, contract logistics, last-mile delivery and e-commerce logistics.

Under the agreement, the two companies plan to install a robot-driven logistics automation system at LX Pantos's Megawise Cheongna logistics center.

LG CNS will first verify full-process automation at the logistics center by linking humanoid robots with shuttle robots. In one example workflow, a shuttle robot retrieves items scheduled for dispatch from warehouse shelves, and a humanoid robot receives those items and loads them onto automated sorting equipment or other robots. The sorted items are then dispatched by destination.

LG CNS will train the robots using logistics site data gathered by LX Pantos. Robot training will rely on the company's proprietary platform PhysicalWorks Forge, while integrated operations will run on PhysicalWorks Baton.

On the hardware side, the system will use LG CNS's logistics robot Mobile Shuttle — a product combining a wheel-type humanoid robot from US robotics firm Dexmate, in which LG CNS invested in March, with an in-house developed unit. The robot travels through warehouse shelving at 1.5 meters per second and can carry up to 1,500 kilograms of goods per unit.

LG CNS said the collaboration aims to reduce the burden of repetitive tasks at LX Pantos logistics sites and create a more stable working environment.

The two companies also plan to build a demonstration space called the TDL Lab in the second half of this year to showcase their logistics automation processes. They intend to pursue commercialization of logistics robot services for external customers as well.

"This MOU is a proof-of-concept project to validate the applicability of various robots and learning and operations platforms in real logistics environments," said Park Sang-gyun, head of LG CNS's telecommunications, retail and service project division. "We will work with LX Pantos to improve productivity and operational efficiency at logistics sites."