Hokuyo Automatic USA Corporation :: Sensors for the Operation of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) & Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

Hokuyo Automatic USA Corporation is the North American subsidiary of Japan’s Hokuyo Automatic Co., Ltd., a sensor manufacturer founded in Osaka in 1946. The U.S. entity, headquartered in Indian Trail, North Carolina, supplies advanced industrial sensors that enable safe, reliable operation of robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and automated forklifts across factory, logistics, and process automation environments. As a key global player, Hokuyo focuses exclusively on sensing technologies rather than complete robots, yet its products form the critical “eyes” and safety systems for nearly every major robotics platform in industrial settings.

The company’s robot-based product portfolio centers on high-performance LiDAR and laser scanners engineered specifically for mobile robotics. Core offerings include the UAM series safety laser scanners, which provide 360-degree or sector coverage for personnel protection and perimeter guarding on both stationary and mobile equipment. These scanners meet rigorous international safety standards and are widely deployed on AGVs and AMRs to prevent collisions with humans and obstacles.

Hokuyo’s LiDAR and obstacle detection sensors, such as the URG and UST series, deliver precise distance measurement and real-time mapping data essential for SLAM navigation, localization, and path planning. These compact units offer high-speed scanning, multi-echo performance for outdoor and harsh environments, and easy integration with robotic controllers via Ethernet or USB interfaces.

Additional robot-enabling products include long-range laser distance sensors for accurate positioning, optical data transmission devices that allow wireless, high-speed communication between moving robots and fixed infrastructure, and crane collision avoidance systems that protect overhead and high-bay cranes in shared workspaces. Hot metal detectors and specialized sensing solutions further support extreme industrial conditions such as steel production and high-temperature environments.

Hokuyo Automatic USA Corporation emphasizes reliability, compact design, and long-term support, helping OEMs, integrators, and end users accelerate automation projects while meeting strict safety and performance requirements. The company also provides extensive technical resources including application notes, case studies, and integration guidance for robotic and autonomous systems.