What is the Bear Carti 100?
The Bear Robotics Carti 100 is a compact autonomous mobile robot (AMR) designed for internal logistics in warehouses, factories, and distribution centers. Manufactured by Bear Robotics, headquartered in Redwood City, California, the Carti 100 is the company’s first industrial AMR, unveiled in October 2024 after years of success in the hospitality robot market with the Servi line. The robot functions as a small forklift, carrying payloads up to 100 kg on its deck, navigating using 360° LiDAR and advanced SLAM. It is engineered for low-profile, narrow-aisle operation, making it distinct from traditional AGVs. With zero degrees of freedom (no articulated limbs), it is purely a transportation platform. Bear Robotics positions the Carti 100 as a flexible, collaborative mobile helper for material handling in human-centric environments.
Specifications
Here are the full technical specifications.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | Undisclosed (low-profile) |
| Weight | 55 kg |
| Degrees of freedom | 0 |
| Battery life | 11 hours |
| Max speed | 7.2 km/h |
| Payload | 100 kg |
| Price (new) | Undisclosed (contact manufacturer) |
| Price (used range) | N/A (no secondary market) |
Price & Value
New MSRP: Undisclosed (contact manufacturer)
Used range: N/A (no secondary market)
Bear Robotics does not publish retail prices for the Carti 100; it is sold through enterprise sales channels with pricing determined by volume, support contracts, and deployment complexity. Industry estimates for comparable 100 kg payload AMRs range from $25,000 to $50,000, but the Carti 100’s cost remains undisclosed. Without a public MSRP, direct value comparison is difficult; however, Bear’s reputation for reliability in high-traffic settings may justify a premium. Depreciation is unpredictable due to the lack of a secondary market, but early adopters can expect strong residual value if the robot gains widespread adoption. Total cost of ownership includes periodic LiDAR calibration, battery replacement (likely after 3–5 years), and software updates, which may be covered by a service contract. As enterprise sales dominate, individual buyers may find leasing or RaaS (Robot-as-a-Service) options more accessible.
Who Is It For?
Best for: - Warehouse and factory logistics requiring repetitive point-to-point transport of loads up to 100 kg in narrow aisles. - Distribution centers integrating AMRs with human workers for order picking. - Companies already using Bear Robotics’ Servi robots looking to expand into material handling.
Not for: - Heavy-duty pallet handling or loads exceeding 100 kg (no lifting forks). - Operations needing precise manipulation or assembly (zero DOF). - Outdoor autonomous navigation (designed for indoor use only).
Alternatives & Comparison
The Carti 100 competes with compact logistics AMRs from Keenon, Relay, and Starship, each targeting overlapping but distinct indoor delivery segments.
| Model | Price | Available | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keenon Robotics Dinobot | Undisclosed | yes | Similar payload restaurant and light logistics robot, but Carti 100 offers industrial-grade durability. |
| Relay Robotics Relay | Undisclosed | yes | Hotel and hospital delivery specialist; Carti 100 handles heavier payloads and warehouse environments. |
| Starship Technologies Delivery Robot | Undisclosed | yes | Outdoor last-mile delivery robot; Carti 100 is indoor-focused with higher payload. |
Verdict: For indoor logistics with loads up to 100 kg, the Carti 100 is the most robust choice among these alternatives, built directly for factory floors. The Dinobot is more suited for restaurant hospitality, while Relay excels in healthcare settings. If outdoor delivery is needed, Starship is the only option. Choose Carti 100 if your primary need is moving heavy totes and cartons inside a warehouse with narrow aisles, especially where ruggedness matters more than soft-touch aesthetics.
Use Cases & Capabilities
Warehouse Line Feeding
The Carti 100 shines in line feeding operations, where it transports component bins from the kitting area to assembly stations on schedule. With a 100 kg payload, it can move multiple small bins or one large container, reducing forklift traffic. Its low profile and 360° LiDAR allow it to navigate under conveyors and through tight aisles safely alongside workers. The robot can be integrated with manufacturing execution systems (MES) to trigger deliveries automatically. This cuts manual handling time and minimizes production line stoppages, making it a direct substitute for tuggers or walkie forklifts in lean manufacturing cells.
Order Picking Support
In e-commerce fulfillment centers, the Carti 100 serves as a robotic pick-assist device, following pickers and carrying collected items. It reduces walking distance by taking over the transport task, allowing the human picker to focus on selecting items. The 11-hour battery ensures it can run a full shift without swapping, even during peak order volumes. With SLAM navigation, it dynamically adapts to changing inventory layouts without recalibration. This application significantly boosts picking rates and reduces worker fatigue, making it an attractive alternative to traditional cart-based picking methods.
Cross-Docking
The Carti 100 automates the movement of goods between inbound and outbound docks in cross-docking facilities. It can autonomously transfer pallets or rolling cages loaded with up to 100 kg from receiving to shipping lanes. The robot’s compact size fits through standard doorways and under dock levelers, removing the need for manual pallet jack operators. Integration with WMS directs the robot to the correct bay without manual scanning. This speeds up turnover and reduces the need for walkie forklifts, especially during overnight sorting operations where labor is scarce.
Cleanroom Material Handling
For semiconductor or pharmaceutical cleanrooms, the Carti 100 can be configured with ESD-safe wheels and body covers to meet stringent contamination requirements. It transports sensitive materials like wafer boats or chemical drums between process tools, reducing human contamination risks. The precise LiDAR navigation avoids collisions with expensive equipment, and its quiet electric drive minimizes air disturbance critical in ISO Class 5 environments. Payload capacity is sufficient for moving multiple stacked trays or one heavy drum, streamlining intra-bay logistics without personnel entry.
History & Background
Bear Robotics was founded in 2017 by John Ha, Juan Higueros, and others in Redwood City, California, initially focusing on restaurant serving robots like the Servi. After gaining traction in hospitality with tens of thousands of deployments worldwide, the company expanded into industrial logistics. The Carti 100 was unveiled in October 2024 as the first model in the Carti series, marking Bear’s entry into warehouse automation. It leveraged the same navigation core as the Servi bots but was re-engineered with a heavy-duty chassis and higher payload capacity. No subsequent variants or generations of the Carti 100 have been announced as of 2026. Bear Robotics continues to sell the Carti 100 through direct enterprise sales, with deployments growing in North America and Asia, solidifying its position in the indoor logistics AMR market.
Buying Used — What to Check
Verify battery cycle count The 11-hour battery degrades over time; replacement is costly and may affect uptime.
Check LiDAR calibration 360° LiDAR requires periodic calibration; misalignment can cause navigation errors and safety issues.
Inspect payload deck The aluminum deck can bend or develop stress cracks under repeated 100 kg loads.