- Four platforms: MiR100 (100 kg), MiR250 (250 kg), MiR600 (600 kg), MiR1350 (1,350 kg tugger).
- SLAM laser navigation — builds map from 2D lidar on first deployment; no floor modifications required.
- MiR Fleet software manages multi-robot dispatch, charging scheduling, and traffic management via browser-based interface.
- Top module system: standardised interface allows third-party manufacturers to fit conveyors, shelves, pallet lifts, and cobot arms onto MiR platforms.
- Safety certified to ISO 3691-4 (driverless industrial trucks) with ISO 13849 PL d safety lidar fields.
Company Overview
Mobile Industrial Robots was founded in 2013 in Odense, Denmark — the same robotics cluster that produced Universal Robots. Teradyne (also the parent company of Universal Robots) acquired MiR in 2018 for $148 million, providing capital for global expansion. MiR claims over 7,000 robot deployments in 60+ countries as of 2026.
MiR positions itself at the premium end of the AMR market — higher price than many Asian competitors, but with best-in-class fleet software, a large global integrator network, and strong safety certification. They are particularly strong in automotive, electronics, food and beverage, and healthcare logistics.
Model Lineup
| Model | Payload | Max Speed | Battery Life | Robot Dimensions (L×W×H) | Robot Price (Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MiR100 | 100 kg | 1.5 m/s | 10 h (typical shift) | 890×580×352 mm | ~$24,000–$30,000 |
| MiR250 | 250 kg | 2.0 m/s | 13 h (typical shift) | 800×580×321 mm | ~$30,000–$38,000 |
| MiR600 | 600 kg | 2.0 m/s | 14 h | 1350×850×320 mm | ~$44,000–$55,000 |
| MiR1350 | 1,350 kg (tugger) | 1.2 m/s | 8 h | 1350×900×395 mm | ~$65,000–$80,000 |
The MiR250 replaced the MiR200 in 2020 and is the most-deployed model — its 250 kg payload, 2.0 m/s speed, and smaller footprint (narrower than the MiR100) make it versatile for most factory-floor transport tasks. The MiR1350 is a tugger configuration that tows a cart train rather than carrying a load directly on the robot platform.
Choosing the Right Model
| Model | Choose When |
|---|---|
| MiR100 | Light loads in tight spaces; hospitals, labs, small shelved carts |
| MiR250 | Most manufacturing transport: WIP moves, kitting delivery, packaging line supply |
| MiR600 | Heavy pallet or rack moves; automotive parts, heavy industrial components |
| MiR1350 | High-volume tugger routes: equivalent to a driverless tugger train, not a lift truck |
MiR Fleet Software
MiR Fleet is the browser-based fleet management system that runs on a local server (Windows or Linux). All MiR robots in a facility connect to MiR Fleet via Wi-Fi. Fleet capabilities:
- Mission dispatch: Assign transport missions manually, on schedule, or triggered by API call from WMS/MES. The fleet assigns the most appropriate available robot to each mission.
- Traffic management: Robots communicate their positions to MiR Fleet and to each other via Wi-Fi; the fleet manager resolves route conflicts and prevents head-on deadlocks.
- Charging management: Robots are automatically sent to charge between missions when battery drops below a configured threshold. Charging stations are booked to avoid queuing.
- Real-time dashboard: Live map view showing robot positions, mission queues, battery levels, and alerts. Accessible from any browser on the local network.
- REST API: Full REST API for WMS and MES integration. JSON messages trigger missions, query robot status, and receive completion callbacks.
- VDA 5050 support: MiR Fleet can receive missions from a third-party fleet manager via VDA 5050 protocol (available from Fleet v3.3+).
Top Modules and Accessories
MiR defines a standard top-module interface (electrical, mechanical, data) that allows third-party manufacturers and integrators to build attachments for MiR platforms. Common top modules:
| Top Module Type | Description | Typical Suppliers |
|---|---|---|
| Shelf carrier | Slides under a standardised shelf unit (MiR Shelf), lifts and carries it | MiR (own product) |
| Roller/belt conveyor | Motorised conveyor on top — receives and transfers loads automatically at docking stations | MiR, Interroll, Hopak |
| Pallet lift | Scissor-lift platform that picks up Euro-pallets from floor level | Third-party integrators |
| Mobile cobot arm | UR or Techman cobot mounted on MiR — creates a mobile manipulator | Integrator-built |
| Hook/trailer | Automated hook for towing carts (MiR1350 standard) | MiR |
| Goods cage | Enclosed cage for secure transport of small items in hospitals or labs | Specialised integrators |
Applications by Model
| Application | Best Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kitting delivery to assembly stations | MiR250 | Shelf carrier top module; called on demand via WMS API or button station |
| WIP transport (machining to assembly) | MiR250 / MiR600 | Depends on part weight; integrate with machine door sensors via I/O |
| Finished goods to staging | MiR600 | Pallet-capable with appropriate top module |
| Hospital supply chain | MiR100 / MiR250 | Linens, sterile supplies, lab samples — MiR100 fits hospital corridors |
| Milk-run material handling | MiR250 / MiR1350 | MiR1350 for high-volume cart-train replacement |
| Automotive component delivery | MiR600 / MiR1350 | Heavy stamped or cast components; common in Tier 1 automotive suppliers |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Market-leading SLAM navigation — reliable in dynamic factory environments with changing obstacles
- MiR Fleet: best-in-class browser-based fleet management; REST API makes WMS integration straightforward
- Broad top-module ecosystem — many certified third-party modules available
- Strong ISO 3691-4 and ISO 13849 safety certification — accepted in regulated industries (pharma, medical devices)
- Teradyne (parent of UR) backing — strong financial stability and global service
- VDA 5050 support for multi-vendor fleet integration
Limitations
- Premium pricing — MiR costs 20–40% more than comparable Asian AMR brands
- MiR100 is being phased out in favour of MiR250; limited availability in some regions
- No forklift AMR in the lineup — above 1,350 kg (tugger), MiR has no product
- Wi-Fi dependency — network dead spots cause mission failures; site survey required
- Docking accuracy (±10–20 mm) may be insufficient for precision conveyor-to-conveyor transfer without additional alignment hardware
Pricing
| Item | MiR250 System | MiR600 System |
|---|---|---|
| Robot platform | $30,000–$38,000 | $44,000–$55,000 |
| Top module | $5,000–$20,000 | $8,000–$30,000 |
| Charging station (×1) | $4,000–$6,000 | $5,000–$8,000 |
| MiR Fleet software licence | $8,000–$15,000 (fleet) | $8,000–$15,000 (fleet) |
| Integration and commissioning | $10,000–$25,000 | $12,000–$30,000 |
| Wi-Fi upgrades (if needed) | $5,000–$15,000 | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Total installed (single robot) | $62,000–$119,000 | $82,000–$153,000 |
MiR Fleet licence is typically a one-time purchase covering up to a specified number of robots. Annual support (software updates, technical support) is approximately 18–22% of the licence cost per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does MiR handle active forklift areas?
MiR AMRs are certified for areas with pedestrian traffic but are NOT designed to operate in the same active lanes as counterbalanced forklifts. The safety lidar fields are calibrated for pedestrian-scale obstacles and stop times based on robot mass and speed — a fully-loaded counterbalanced forklift travelling at 10 km/h creates a very different safety scenario. Best practice: define physical separation between AMR routes and forklift lanes using floor markings, barriers, or traffic management lights. MiR can integrate with traffic light systems at lane crossings.
What Wi-Fi infrastructure does a MiR fleet need?
MiR robots require 5 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11ac/ax) with consistent coverage and less than 50 ms round-trip latency to the MiR Fleet server. Access points should overlap with at least -65 dBm signal strength everywhere the robots travel. A site survey by a qualified Wi-Fi engineer is strongly recommended before deployment — factory environments often have metal racking and interference sources that create unexpected dead spots. Typical Wi-Fi upgrades for a factory floor add $5,000–$20,000 to project cost.
Can MiR robots operate 24/7 unattended?
Yes — MiR robots are designed for 24/7 autonomous operation. Battery management is automated: the robot returns to charge between missions when battery falls below the configured threshold. Most MiR models achieve two full shifts per charge at typical duty cycles. For three-shift continuous operation, the charging schedule must be planned carefully to ensure the robot charges during low-demand windows without missing mission deadlines. A fleet of 3+ robots with overlapping schedules provides the coverage for continuous operation with battery management headroom.
Sources
- MiR250 and MiR600 Technical Specifications (Mobile Industrial Robots, 2025)
- MiR Fleet v3.x Release Notes (2025)
- ISO 3691-4:2020 — Industrial Trucks: Safety Requirements for Driverless Trucks
- VDA 5050 v2.0 Interface Specification (2022)