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Robot-Based Vending System to Extend Library Services

Evanced Solutions (www.evancedsolutions.com) will unveil a prototype of its new BranchAnywhere library vending system at the Public Library Association Conference, March 23-27 in Portland, Ore. The U.S.-designed and -manufactured system will allow libraries to provide books and audiovisual materials in convenient locations without the space and cost associated with constructing a traditional library branch or building.

The new library vending system will be powered by an industrial multiaxis robot typically used in manufacturing plants. The robot will deliver library materials to patrons from storage shelves in the machine. It also reshelves those same materials to the machine when returned by the patron for check-out by the next person.

"We chose a robot as the heart of the machine because they are much more robust and reliable than other solutions. It's the perfect low-maintenance answer for this application," says Evanced CEO Todd Cutler.

The machine will be able to hold books of various sizes (including picture books and large hardcover books) in addition to DVDs and other audiovisual materials. It will operate 24/7 with little to no staff intervention, and it connects to the most common library catalog systems.

Evanced partnered with two other Indiana-based companies to deliver this new product-Central Technology, a producer of library self-check kiosks, and Biehle Systems, an industrial machine systems company. The machines, which will be manufactured at Biehle's plant in southern Indiana, will be available the second half of 2010.

Source: Evanced Solutions