Agricultural Cold Chain AMR

Multiway Robotics MW-SE12
Agricultural Cold Chain Autonomous Forklift

Purpose-built autonomous forklift for fresh produce cold storage logistics. Operates reliably from -25°C to +45°C with IP54 protection, anti-corrosion design, and 6-layer pallet stacking capability for fruit, vegetable, seafood, and floral cold chain facilities.

1,200 kg
Load Capacity
-25°C
Min Operating Temp
6 layers
Stacking Height
IP54
Protection Rating

What Is an Agricultural Cold Chain AMR Forklift?

The Multiway MW-SE12 is an autonomous mobile robot with integrated forklift functionality, specifically engineered for the agricultural cold chain sector. Unlike standard warehouse AMRs, it is built to handle the unique challenges of fresh produce logistics: high-humidity cold rooms, wet and corrosive environments from produce washing and ice packing, irregular pallet sizes from farm-grade packaging, and multi-temperature zone operations spanning ambient receiving areas through to deep-freeze storage at -25°C.

The MW-SE12 autonomously picks up loaded pallets from processing lines, transports them through cold room doorways, and stacks them up to 6 layers high in refrigerated warehouses — all without human intervention. Its SLAM-based navigation requires no floor modifications, making it suitable for both existing cold storage facilities and new-build agricultural logistics centers.

Product Specifications at a Glance

Key parameters of the MW-SE12 agricultural cold chain AMR forklift

🏋️

1,200 kg Load

Handles standard 1.0T and 1.2T agricultural pallets including produce crates and seafood totes

📏

1,150 mm Forks

Extended fork length accommodates oversized farm-grade pallets and euro pallets

❄️

-25°C to +45°C

Full operational range covering chilled, frozen, and ambient temperature zones

🛡️

IP54 Protection

Sealed against dust and water splash for high-humidity cold room environments

🔋

8-10 hr Runtime

Cold-rated 24V/300Ah lithium-ion battery with opportunity charging capability

📡

SLAM Navigation

Laser + visual SLAM with 270° LiDAR — no floor wires or magnetic tape required

🏗️

6-Layer Stacking

Maximize cold storage cube utilization with precision high-reach pallet placement

🚶

1.5 m/s Max Speed

Adjustable speed profiles for cold room aisles, cross-docks, and pedestrian zones

Core Product Features

Designed from the ground up for agricultural cold chain operations

🌡️ Cold-Rated Thermal Management

All critical electronics, battery modules, and sensor housings feature active thermal management with heating elements for sub-zero operation. Cold-resistant hydraulic fluid (rated to -30°C) ensures consistent fork carriage performance. Pre-conditioning cycles warm sensors before entering freezer zones to prevent condensation on optical surfaces.

🔒 IP54 + Anti-Corrosion Design

Marine-grade anti-corrosion coating protects all exposed metal surfaces from the corrosive effects of salt ice, produce wash runoff, and high-humidity environments. IP54-rated enclosures seal all electronic modules. Stainless steel fork carriage and IP67 cable connectors ensure long-term reliability in wet conditions.

📐 Precision 6-Layer Stacking

±10mm positioning accuracy enables safe 6-layer pallet stacking in narrow cold storage aisles. The mast design is optimized for cold room racking systems commonly used in agricultural warehouses. Automatic pallet alignment compensates for irregular farm-grade packaging dimensions.

🧭 Infrastructure-Free SLAM Navigation

Dual-mode SLAM (270° LiDAR + 3D visual cameras) operates without floor modifications — ideal for existing cold storage facilities where drilling for magnetic strips would compromise insulation panels. Dynamic obstacle avoidance with 3D cameras detects workers, pallets, and forklift traffic in real time.

🔄 Multi-Temperature Zone Operation

Seamlessly transitions between ambient (+25°C), chilled (0 to +4°C), and deep freeze (-25°C) zones within a single mission. The WCS assigns tasks by temperature zone to minimize transitions. Cold room door integration via Modbus TCP enables automated door-open sequences as the robot approaches.

🔌 WMS Integration & Fleet Management

REST API, MQTT, and OPC-UA protocols connect directly to SAP, Oracle, or custom WMS platforms. The Multiway RCS fleet management system coordinates up to 50+ AMRs with centralized traffic control, task optimization, and battery management. Supports FIFO/FEFO inventory rotation protocols critical for fresh produce.

⚡ Opportunity Charging

2-3 hour full charge with opportunity charging during shift breaks maximizes uptime. Cold-rated battery management system monitors cell temperatures and adjusts charging profiles for cold environments. Wireless charging option available for fully sealed cold room deployments where plug-in connectors are impractical.

🛑 Comprehensive Safety System

Programmable emergency stop zones, 270° LiDAR safety scanning, 3D camera obstacle detection, and dual-channel safety PLC. Safety-rated stop zones adjust speed based on proximity to workers. Compliance with CE and ISO 3691-4 for driverless industrial trucks.

System Architecture & Integration

How the MW-SE12 connects into your agricultural cold chain workflow

Enterprise Layer SAP / Oracle / Custom WMS — Order management, inventory control, FIFO/FEFO scheduling, cold chain compliance reporting
Control Layer Multiway WCS/RCS — Task dispatch, multi-AMR traffic control, battery scheduling, cold room door coordination
Communication Wi-Fi 5GHz / 5G / Bluetooth — Low-latency command delivery with fallback to local task execution during signal loss
Robot Layer MW-SE12 AMR — SLAM navigation, fork actuation, load sensing, thermal management, safety PLC
Peripherals Cold room door controllers (Modbus TCP), conveyor belt PLCs, pallet ID scanners, temperature logging sensors

Integration protocols: REST API · MQTT · OPC-UA · Modbus TCP

Typical Application Scenarios

Where agricultural cold chain AMR forklifts deliver the most value

🍊

Fruit & Vegetable Harvest Transport

  • Automated pallet movement from field packing stations to pre-cooling rooms
  • Transport of harvested produce to cold storage within 30 min of packing
  • Handles irregular crate sizes and overweight produce loads
  • Operates in outdoor-to-indoor transition zones
🏭

Cold Chain Sorting & Distribution Centers

  • Automated pallet staging between sorting lines and cold storage zones
  • FEFO-driven pallet retrieval for outbound shipping
  • High-throughput cross-dock pallet movement in chilled environments
  • Integration with automated sortation and labeling systems
🐟

Seafood Processing & Cold Storage

  • Wet environment operation with IP54 + anti-corrosion protection
  • Transport of ice-packed seafood totes from processing to blast freezers
  • -25°C deep-freeze storage stacking with salt-air resistance
  • Compliance with HACCP cold chain traceability requirements
🌸

Flower & Plant Cold Storage

  • Gentle pallet handling for delicate floral products
  • Temperature-controlled staging from greenhouse to refrigerated trucks
  • High-density cold room stacking for cut flower preservation
  • Scheduled retrieval aligned with logistics dispatch windows
🥩

Meat & Poultry Cold Chain

  • Continuous operation in -18°C to -25°C meat freezer warehouses
  • Hanging rail area pallet transport with collision avoidance
  • FIFO enforcement for regulatory compliance
  • Sealed design prevents contamination in food-grade zones
🧊

Dairy & Beverage Cold Logistics

  • High-speed pallet retrieval for same-day delivery operations
  • Multi-level cold room stacking for seasonal inventory peaks
  • Temperature logging integration for cold chain audit trails
  • Integration with automated truck loading systems

Detailed Technical Specifications

Complete parameter sheet for Multiway Robotics MW-SE12 agricultural cold chain AMR forklift

Forklift Performance

Rated Load Capacity 1,200 kg
Max Stacking Height 6 layers (approx. 4,500 mm)
Fork Length 1,150 mm
Fork Width 160 mm (adjustable)
Mast Type Triplex, full free lift
Turning Radius 1,800 mm
Gradeability (loaded) ≤ 8%
Positioning Accuracy ±10 mm

Movement & Dimensions

Max Travel Speed 1.5 m/s (unloaded)
Lift Speed 0.3 m/s
Overall Length 2,350 mm
Overall Width 1,080 mm
Overall Height (mast lowered) 2,100 mm
Wheelbase 1,500 mm
Min Aisle Width 2,800 mm
Net Weight 2,200 kg (with battery)

Cold Storage Environment

Operating Temperature -25°C to +45°C
Humidity Range 30% - 95% RH
IP Rating IP54 (electronics)
Anti-Corrosion Marine-grade coating
Hydraulic Fluid Cold-rated (-30°C)
Connector Rating IP67 sealed

Power & Battery

Battery Type Lithium-ion (cold-rated)
Battery Voltage 24V
Battery Capacity 300 Ah
Working Hours 8-10 hours continuous
Charging Time 2-3 hours (opportunity charging)
Charging Type Plug-in / Wireless option

Navigation & Safety

Navigation Technology SLAM (Laser + Visual)
LiDAR Coverage 270°
Obstacle Detection LiDAR + 3D Camera
Safety Standard CE, ISO 3691-4
Safety Zones Programmable emergency stop
Safety PLC Dual-channel

Communication & Integration

Wireless Wi-Fi / 5G / Bluetooth
Fleet Management Multiway WCS / RCS
WMS Integration REST API, MQTT, OPC-UA
PLC Protocol Modbus TCP
Max Fleet Size 50+ units per facility
Data Logging Temperature + location + task

Frequently Asked Questions

Technical and operational questions about the MW-SE12 agricultural cold chain AMR

What makes the MW-SE12 suitable for cold storage environments down to -25°C?

The MW-SE12 is engineered with cold-rated lithium-ion batteries (24V/300Ah), heated sensor housings, anti-corrosion coated electronics, and IP54-rated enclosures that prevent moisture and dust ingress. The thermal management system maintains optimal operating temperature for all critical components, while the fork carriage uses cold-resistant hydraulic fluid rated to -30°C. These design features enable continuous 8-10 hour operation in temperatures from -25°C to +45°C.

How does the SLAM navigation work inside refrigerated warehouses with metal shelving?

The MW-SE12 uses dual-mode SLAM combining 270° LiDAR with 3D visual cameras. The LiDAR generates real-time point clouds for localization even in metal-intensive cold storage environments, while the visual SLAM provides redundancy and handles dynamic obstacles like workers and other robots. The system maps the facility during initial commissioning and updates maps in real time as shelving configurations change.

Can the MW-SE12 operate across different temperature zones in a single shift?

Yes. The MW-SE12 supports seamless multi-temperature zone transitions from ambient (+25°C) through chilled (0 to +4°C) to deep freeze (-25°C) within a single mission. Pre-conditioning protocols prepare the robot before entering freezer zones, preventing thermal shock to sensors and components. The WCS assigns tasks based on zone temperature to minimize unnecessary transitions.

What integration options are available for connecting to existing warehouse systems?

The MW-SE12 supports multiple integration protocols including REST API, MQTT, and OPC-UA for WMS connectivity. It integrates with the Multiway WCS/RCS fleet management platform for task dispatch and traffic control. Standard interfaces allow connection to SAP, Oracle, and other enterprise WMS platforms. The robot also supports Modbus TCP for PLC integration with conveyor systems and cold room door controllers.

What anti-corrosion protection does the MW-SE12 have for high-humidity environments?

The MW-SE12 features IP54-rated enclosures on all electronic modules, marine-grade anti-corrosion coating on exposed metal surfaces, and stainless steel fork carriage components. The battery compartment includes a sealed desiccant system to prevent condensation damage. All cable connectors use IP67-rated sealed connectors, and the main controller housing employs a dual-gasket sealing system suitable for 95% RH environments.

How many AMR forklifts can operate simultaneously in a single cold storage facility?

The Multiway RCS fleet management system supports up to 50+ AMRs in a single facility with centralized traffic control and task optimization. The system uses dynamic path planning to avoid congestion at cold room doorways and charging stations. Fleet sizing depends on throughput requirements — a typical 5,000-pallet cold storage facility operates efficiently with 3-5 units on single-shift operation.

Ready to Automate Your Agricultural Cold Chain?

BRIDZA is an authorized distributor for Multiway Robotics products. Contact us to discuss pilot programs, technical specifications, or integration requirements for your fresh produce cold storage automation project.