Airtrax, Inc has completed the first phase of a two-phase program to develop an advanced cargo handling system for the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

The concept, demonstrated to military officials at the Washington Navy Yard last November, is a fleet of unmanned omni-directional robots, equipped with navigation and obstacle avoidance features, and designed to reduce crew workloads by moving materials on ships.

The robots are a modified version of Airtrax's ATX-Series forklift.

If developed, the robots would reduce crew workloads and increase the speed with which incoming cargo is stowed on board, reducing the time ships are out of commission during replenishment, a company statement said.