Industrial automation company Beckhoff Automation has developed a system for moving materials in a factory setting via levitating tiles powered by traveling magnetic fields.

The XPlanar System is comprised of planar motor tiles that serve as a platform for powering the levitating passive movers that travel at 4 m per second. Corresponding software — TwinCAT3 software — enables path planning and collision avoidance among the moving tiles.

Floating above the surface, the tiles can move objects in assorted directions and they are also programmed to lift, lower, weigh, tilt and rotate while in motion.

Source: Beckhoff Automation

Additionally, the system is reportedly maintenance free and can be used in material handling, inspection and packaging applications. The system also now features an anti-sloshing mechanism thanks to six axes of coordinated motion built into each tile to ensure the safe and mess-free transport of liquid products. The surface of each tile can also be coated in either stainless steel or glass for hygienic wash-down solutions.

To see how the tiles levitate, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of Beckhoff Automation.