Autonomous material handling stack links Thoro and Orbbec

Thoro unveiled its latest innovation, CoreFlex, at MODEX 2026, a cutting-edge modular autonomy platform designed to cater to various classes of industrial vehicles without the need for fixed infrastructure. This revolutionary system integrates Thoro’s advanced software and fleet tools with Orbbec 3D cameras to facilitate navigation, pallet handling, and obstacle detection in warehouse and logistics environments.

The introduction of CoreFlex signifies a significant shift in the realm of autonomous material handling systems, moving towards adaptable, reusable platforms as opposed to single-purpose robots. This development also mirrors a broader trend in industrial automation towards reusable platforms, potentially streamlining integration processes across material handling fleets.

A Gateway to Warehouse Automation

Central to the launch is CoreFlex, described by Thoro as a comprehensive autonomy system that encompasses sensors, lightweight computing capabilities, plug-and-play interfaces, autonomy software, fleet management tools, and a cloud platform. The primary objective is to enable OEMs to implement a unified autonomy architecture across various robot or vehicle types, eliminating the need to reconstruct systems for each platform.

In the realm of material handling, where pallet trucks, tuggers, and other industrial vehicles often share similar perception and navigation requirements but are traditionally developed independently, a cross-platform stack could significantly reduce engineering efforts and assist suppliers in efficiently scaling automation across diverse fleets.

Thoro emphasizes that the system is infrastructure-free, suggesting that deployments can be executed without extensive site modifications. This feature could simplify rollouts in large warehouses and logistics centers, particularly for operators looking to gradually automate processes without committing to a complete facility redesign.

Enhanced Pallet Handling with 3D Vision

Orbbec’s Gemini 336 stereo 3D camera plays a pivotal role in the CoreFlex system. The depth sensing capabilities of this camera enhance navigation precision and pallet handling efficiency, while the active infrared imaging technology aims to optimize performance in varying light conditions, reflective surfaces, and dynamic warehouse environments.

The compact form factor and standardized interface of the camera align with the modular design objective. For autonomy developers, such sensor packaging is crucial, especially when the hardware needs to transition between different vehicle designs seamlessly.

Patrick Mondi, CEO of Thoro, affirms, “Exceptional sensor performance coupled with robust software functionality is key to achieving our design objectives. We are dedicated to providing OEMs worldwide with safe, scalable, and user-friendly industrial autonomy solutions. Orbbec’s top-notch hardware and software capabilities empower us to expand applications confidently, venturing into new vehicle types and deployment scenarios.”

Brad Suessmith, Robotics Sales Manager at Orbbec, comments, “CoreFlex showcases the immense potential of modular autonomous systems. The chip-level depth sensing feature of Orbbec enables CoreFlex to deliver stable and efficient autonomous operations even in complex warehouse settings. We are excited to drive the industry towards intelligent, automated operations collaboratively.”

The companies reveal their plans to introduce four autonomous mobile robots next year for cleaning and material handling, all leveraging the Gemini 336 camera platform.