The driverless transport system for the transportation of meals, laundry, sterile goods and pharmacy products throughout the hospital complex
UniVan – automated guided vehicle
With just one hospital logistics system, meals, laundry, sterile goods and pharmacy products can be transported safely and efficiently throughout the entire hospital complex – without human intervention. Telelift’s UniVan makes this possible. Our driverless transport system (DTS) uses autonomous vehicle technology to ensure smooth and reliable logistics.
The UniVan is a mobile robot -also known as an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) or Automated Mobile Robot (AMR) – that moves independently within buildings. Its route instructions are predefined and its map storage is automatic. Thanks to laser scanning for navigation, the system does not require any floor, wall or ceiling installations, providing maximum flexibility in route planning.
The mobile robots automatically transport the required goods to the right place at the right time. The vehicles, which can carry up to 500 kg, perform physically demanding transport tasks and, thanks to their extensive safety technology, can share routes with hospital staff thanks to their extensive safety technology.
With its 360° safety scanner, the vehicle detects people at all times and, with the use of additional camera-based 3D object recognition, it can be seamlessly integrated into the existing infrastructure. Daily transport tasks such as the distribution of various goods such as meals, medicines, medical supplies, material accessories, laundry, documents, waste and sterile goods can be easily carried out by the AGV.
Benefits of the UniVan transportation system
- Intelligent navigation:
The system navigates using diagonally placed LiDAR scanners in a pre-created map of the surrounding area. The map is recorded using an intelligent SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) algorithm.
The system navigates autonomously and recognizes the fastest route, even in complex environments. - Material flow to the stations:
UniVan independently performs all transport tasks and ensures an efficient material flow. If obstacles are encountered, the driverless transport system can autonomously check an alternative route and bypass the obstacle. Tasks can also be transmitted to a vehicle that is already in motion. - High level of safety:
The LiDAR scanners used meet the high requirements for personal safety. 3D cameras also detect obstacles and people up to 2 meters above the ground, thus protecting the vehicle, cargo and personnel. Other safety devices such as side safety bars, emergency stop switches, and acoustic and optical signals also provide collision protection. - Maximum payload:
UniVan can transport loads with a gross weight of up to 500 kg. The vehicle measures 1650 x 600 x 320 mm, and it is equipped with an electric lifting system that can lift loads up to 80 mm. - High speed:
The UniVan Mini accelerates evenly in all directions at up to 2 m/s via the differential drive and can turn in one position (pivot-turn). - Intelligent charging management:
By default, a determined number of docking stations are set for conductive charging based on the system’s energy consumption. When the vehicle’s battery level is low, a free and nearby charging point is automatically selected. On average, charging takes only about 40 minutes (SoC range 20-80%). Optional inductive charging will be available from 2025.
Fields of application in hospitals:
UniVan handles the transport logistics for various materials, ensuring efficient and safe supply. The UniVan AMR autonomous system is a convincing solution for material supply in hospital logistics. With state-of-the-art slam navigation, high positioning accuracy, 3D cameras and innovative charging technology, UniVan offers a flexible and safe solution for automated transportation in hospitals.
