OAKLAND, CA, Apr 15, 2025 – Cartken has announced the launch of “Cartken Hauler”, a robust, maneuverable robot with increased payload capacity designed to automate mixed outdoor/indoor environment material handling for manufacturing facilities, warehouses, distribution centers, corporate campuses, and life sciences environments. With this launch, Cartken is focusing on expanding its solutions beyond last-mile delivery to address challenges in material handling across mixed environments, including multiple levels and diverse terrains.
“Today’s intralogistics operations demand material handling solutions that can adapt seamlessly across environments. Cartken Hauler does exactly that,” said Christian Bersch, CEO and co-founder of Cartken. “We are building on our autonomous robot technology and AI models trained on hundreds of thousands of last-mile delivery miles. We now transfer this technology to industrial and onsite logistics automation, meeting our customers’ demand for a robust robotic transport solution that can operate in more challenging environments and is much faster to deploy than traditional mobile robots. The Hauler represents a new era of material handling – one that offers cost-effective indoor and outdoor goods movement without special infrastructure.” Cartken Hauler supports industries that need flexible and reliable material transport. It moves inventory, samples, tools, and documents with ease. Its all-terrain design let it perform well in rugged settings. The system uses AI-powered cameras to guide itself and safely around people. This makes it a smart option for busy environments where efficiency matter.
Key features of Cartken Hauler:
- All-Terrain Capability: Smoothly navigates uneven concrete, gravel, pebbles, grass, asphalt, dirt, tile, and carpet for seamless indoor & outdoor operations.
- All-Weather & Day/Night Navigation: Operates reliably in rain, sun, snow, and extreme temperatures from -4 °F to 122 °F (-20 °C to +50 °C). Advanced perception sensors enable navigation in any lighting conditions, 24/7.
- Integration with existing systems: Fully autonomous end-to-end deliveries across multiple floor levels, with integration for elevators, gates, doors, and software systems.
- Robust Performance:
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- Load capacity: 660 lbs (300 kg) on flat surfaces and 550 lbs (250 kg) on 10° slopes.
- Top speed of 4.5 mph (7.2 km/h) with a zero-point turning radius and omni-directional steering.
- Autonomous charging dock with 16+ hours of runtime and a 4-hour recharge time.
- Flexible Cargo Options: Available with a flat base, shelf, enclosed, and temperature-controlled compartments capable of maintaining from -112 °F to +212°F (-80 °C to +100 °C).
- Fast and Infrastructure-Free Deployment: Fully operational within 7 days. It fits right into your operations – no major modifications required.
A New Generation of Industrial Robots
Traditional mobile robot solutions often lack the flexibility required for complex industrial environments:
- AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles): Operate on fixed paths using wires, magnets, or ground markings. They require dedicated infrastructure and are not adjustable when workflows or layouts need to change.
- AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots): These systems use onboard sensors for path planning and are generally limited to 2D indoor navigation. They require medium infrastructure and have restricted functionality in outdoor environments.
Both AGVs and AMRs share a weakness: they struggle with uneven ground, ramps, curbs, and weather-exposed areas.
“Unlike traditional mobile robots, Cartken Hauler was designed to overcome these challenges from the start,” added Bersch. “It offers the flexibility and robustness that industrial players need to manage material handling seamlessly across outdoor and indoor environments.”
Source: Cartken
About Cartken
Cartken, established in 2019 is headquartered in Oakland, CA, with additional operations in Munich, Detroit, Mexico City, and Tokyo. The company specializes in AI-powered autonomous delivery robots designed for both indoor and outdoor environments. The robots are utilized across various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, corporate campuses, and food delivery services. Cartken’s robots are equipped to handle tasks such as last-mile deliveries, multi-building logistics, and material handling, integrating with existing infrastructure like elevators and automated doors. Cartken has partnered with companies like Uber Eats and Grubhub to deploy its robots for food delivery services. As of 2025, Cartken employs approximately 50 individuals and reports an estimated annual revenue of $5 million. The company has secured $22.5 million in funding from investors including 468 Capital, LDV Partners, and Magna International, the latter also assisting in scaling up the manufacturing of Cartken’s delivery robots.