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Cartken Expands Autonomous Robot Fleet to Industrial Markets
July 20, 2025
Autonomous robotics startup Cartken, recognized for its wheeled delivery robots operating on college campuses and Tokyo streets, is now steering its technology toward a new direction: industrial automation.
Co-founder and CEO Christian Bersch revealed that the transition into factories and corporate facilities was a natural evolution for the company. Originally created for food delivery, Cartken’s robots quickly caught the attention of companies looking to streamline their internal logistics.
“What we found is that actually there’s a real big need in industrial and onsite use cases,” said Bersch. He noted that some industrial applications offer even greater value than food delivery, by optimizing how materials move within complex environments like manufacturing plants.
The turning point came in 2023 when German manufacturing company ZF Lifetec began using Cartken’s compact, cooler-like delivery robot — the Cartken Courier — to transport production samples. Its success there revealed broader industrial potential. “Our food delivery robot started moving production samples around, and it’s quickly turned into our busiest robot of all,” Bersch explained.
While Cartken continues to operate delivery services on college campuses in partnership with companies like Uber Eats and GrubHub, the industrial segment has become a growing focus. The shift has been relatively smooth — Cartken’s robots are built to operate across indoor and outdoor settings and already handle varied terrains and weather. Years of urban delivery data helped fine-tune their ability to navigate complex environments, making them well-suited for factory floors and corporate campuses.
In response to demand, Cartken has expanded its product line. The Cartken Hauler, capable of carrying up to 660 pounds, was launched earlier this year for heavier loads, while the Cartken Runner was designed specifically for indoor environments. The company is also developing a robot resembling a forklift, aimed at further automating industrial material handling.
Bersch highlighted the company’s adaptable navigation stack, which allows the same AI and machine learning backbone to be deployed across different robot models.
Further momentum came through its long-standing partnership with Mitsubishi in Japan. Melco Mobility Solutions, part of the Mitsubishi group, recently announced plans to deploy nearly 100 Cartken Hauler robots in its industrial facilities.
“We’re definitely seeing a lot of traction across various industrial and corporate sites, from automotive companies to pharmaceutical to chemical,” said Bersch. “All these companies typically have people moving stuff from one building to another, whether it’s being by hand, on a cart, or a small forklift — and that is really what we’re targeting.”
Though Cartken will continue its consumer-facing delivery services, the company is firmly pivoting its core efforts toward reshaping how materials move in industrial settings — with robots that can now do much more than just deliver lunch.
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