The official product launch of our Autonomous Mobile Robot A-MATE® Lite took place on 11 March 2025 at LogiMAT in Stuttgart. Red Dot has now awarded the vehicle with the Product Design Award in the commercial vehicle category. “We have defined a new AMR class with both the function and the design. The kinematics for load movement are new and support the slim design. This makes our A-MATE® Lite predestined for the internal transport of goods in load carriers that are smaller than pallets. We are aware of the shift in logistics towards smaller containers and the simultaneous increase in internal transport volumes. We are now responding to this with a small, cost-effective AMR that takes up little space,” says Dr. Ralf Kleedörfer, Head of Automation at K.Hartwall.
The innovative product design was developed by Gerhard Habedank, Head of Product Development at K.Hartwall GmbH, and Meike Hahr from the external design studio Creative Specialists in Hamburg. A-MATE® Lite is the first fully electric mobile robot with counterweight in its class and was specially designed for transporting half-euro pallets, dollies and roll containers. Thanks to the flexible fork concept, it can also easily handle customized load carriers. The maximum load capacity is 600 kg and the maximum lifting height is 300 mm.
Before the successful integration of automated processes and mobile robots, customers and users must build trust in the function and implementation of the system. The appearance therefore emphasizes the precision with which the vehicle works, the high level of integration of sensors and safety devices and the reliability of a compact, well thought-out machine.
The vehicle was deliberately designed to be non-aggressive. The user interface has been simplified to the maximum and essentially consists of a display that is easy to operate and the mandatory emergency stop buttons. The illuminated rings on the sides provide information about the vehicle status and upcoming movements from a distance and, with their iconic vertical shape, have a high recognition value in the market environment. The two covers can be easily removed for commissioning and maintenance work.
“The most important attributes of the product form the foundation of our design language. The seamless integration of all technical elements into an accessible, clearly designed appearance emphasizes the high level of development and design standards of the product. The reduction and arrangement of the operating elements facilitate intuitive access for users. Integrated light rings on the sides ensure that the robot is clearly visible and that all operating statuses are clearly recognizable. We are delighted that the consistent implementation has also impressed the jury of the Red Dot Award,” says Meike Hahr, industrial designer at Creative Specialists.
The official presentation of the Red Dot Product Design Award will take place on 8 July 2025 at the Red Dot Gala and Designers Night in Essen.
