Motivation and challenges

While autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are already demonstrating their flexibility and efficiency advantages in new projects by large OEMs, such as the Mercedes Factory 56 or the Tesla Gigafactory, they are still rarely found among their suppliers. The introduction of AMR technologies in existing environments (brownfield) poses considerable difficulties, especially for small and medium-sized suppliers. These include unfavourable physical infrastructures, ongoing processes, outdated IT systems, a lack of specialist knowledge and high demands on simulations and implementation efforts. These factors require considerable investment and significantly extend project durations.

Project goal

FlexTools aims to effectively overcome the hurdles of introducing mobile robotics in brownfield environments. The FlexTools kit is designed to provide a cost-effective solution, including customisation and ongoing operation. The project focuses on three key areas: Robotics Technology, IT Systems and Algorithms, and Management & Implementation. This includes a variety of robotics concepts, from innovative prototypes to established AMRs, different architectures, components and algorithms for planning and control as well as the design and implementation of AMR technologies through to ongoing operation.

Realisation

The project focusses on three main areas: Robot technology, IT systems and algorithms, and management & implementation. By working on two specific problems and application scenarios at the medium-sized companies HEO Coating and TE Connectivity, generally applicable tools are developed and evaluated in a practical manner. This includes different robotics concepts, ranging from innovative prototypes to established AMRs, various IT architectures, algorithms for planning and control as well as implementation concepts for AMR technologies from introduction to operation.