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Intelligent automated guided vehicle systems revolutionize the future of production

Mobile robots and autonomous transport systems enable networked, efficient and flexible intralogistics in smart factories and facilities.

Intelligent intralogistics solutions: the key to flexibility and scalability

When it comes to the future viability of your production processes, intelligent intralogistics solutions are called for: autonomous transport systems with an AI-based host controller for intelligent networking of your production facility, and mobile robots, i.e. automated guided vehicles (AGV) equipped with a jointed-arm robot. These can be used particularly flexibly in the production environment and interact safely with humans and machines.

KUKA omniMove for Airbus

Continuous-flow manufacturing does not pose a challenge in modern production environments. However, when the individual parts to be processed weigh up to 90 tonnes, with a length of 15 meters, even experienced intralogistics specialists encounter difficulties.

Not so the specialists at KUKA. For aircraft manufacturer Airbus, a production line that is unique in the field of aerospace technology was implemented on the basis of the KUKA omniMove mobile heavy-duty platform for positioning the enormous components for the Airbus A380 with millimeter precision – safely and reliably.

The KUKA omniMove mobile transport platform in action at Airbus.

Flexible and driverless intralogistics solutions for Mercedes-Benz

At the Mercedes-Benz Türk plant in Aksaray, automated guided vehicles from KUKA are used for assembling the different driver's cabs for trucks.

A total of seven freely navigating mobile platforms of type KMP 1500 link the individual production stations in the assembly line. The new automated guided vehicle system ensures efficient utilization of space, utmost process reliability in all production stages and maximum variety of variants.

Flexible and driverless intralogistics solution at a Mercedes-Benz truck assembly plant.

Particularly for customers who wish to utilize their production area as efficiently as possible, tying up as little investment capital as necessary, the use of flexible and driverless intralogistics solutions is highly advantageous.

Michael Jürgens, Head of KUKA AGV Solutions

Mobile robotics without limits

The KUKA omniMove drive technology works with absolute precision even under great pressure.

This is because the innovative Mecanum wheels can move omnidirectionally and enable unrestricted maneuverability in every direction, including rotating the vehicle about its own axis.

This offers you virtually unlimited movement possibilities.

 

The Mecanum wheels of the KUKA transport vehicles.

"You have reached your destination" – with intelligent navigation software

Different mobile kinematic systems and robots that reach their destination reliably and safely even in complex production environments? That communicate with one another and react flexibly to changes in the environment? Sounds good – and has long been reality at KUKA.

The KUKA.NavigationSolution navigation software enables mobile robots and transport systems to move autonomously. A map of the surroundings is created using the SLAM method, enabling the mobile robot to reach its destination safely.

Discover the functional principle of the KUKA navigation software in the video.

Embrace the future of mobile robotics

In the coming years, mobile automation solutions will continue to be among the most important key factors for the smart production and conveyor systems of the future.

Mobile robots are becoming increasingly easy to adapt.Intelligent, mobile robot systems will enable even more applications on the same mobile platform through the addition of modular components, thus ensuring sustainable increases in productivity and efficiency.

Discover the versatile functionality of mobile robots.

State-of-the-art battery technology and greater energy density enable even more mobility. The trend in the development of batteries and battery systems is towards greater capacity combined with significantly reduced dimensions. It is expected that batteries of the near future will offer twice the power density in a quarter of the space.

What this means in concrete terms is that mobile robots and automated guided vehicle systems with the same size as now will have a considerably greater range and thus be able to work for considerably longer periods of time.

Furthermore, mobile robotics will become more compact, smarter and more agile. The cost-effectiveness and areas of application of mobile robots will increase significantly due to the technological progress in the power density of the batteries.

Optimized sensor technology enables safe operation in even more areas of application.

Robots communicate reliably and wirelessly, not only with each other, but at the same time with fixed sensors installed in their operating environment and with mobile end devices via the fleet manager.

This enables even greater flexibility and functionality in autonomous operation in smart production and intralogistics systems.

The optimized sensor technology allows highly accurate, camera-based positioning, safe load detection and the ability to control conveyor systems.

Mobile value chain in the matrix

Cushioning workload peaks and resource bottlenecks, producing multiple variants of a product in variable batch sizes, and manufacturing even small batches profitably – the challenges posed by continuously increasing degrees of customization can be mastered optimally in many sectors with flexible matrix production.

Autonomously operating automated guided vehicle systems (AGVS) ensure the required separation of production and intralogistics. Transport routes and tasks can be adapted and modified quickly and easily.

Mobile robots pay off in production

Mobile automation solutions increase the flexibility of the production facility and enable a sustainable increase in cost-effectiveness.


  • Maximum efficiency

    Perfectly coordinated autonomous transport systems enable highly efficient manufacturing systems.

  • Seamless integration

    All hardware and software solutions can be integrated seamlessly into existing ecosystems using flexible interfaces.

  • Maximum flexibility

    Flexible automation solutions and intelligent, SLAM-based navigation systems enable direct reations to changing requirements.

  • Modular concepts

    From the payload capacity to the complexity of the tasks – the modular design means that the fleet can be equipped with further mobile systems during operation.

Our mobile robots – your mobility boost

With intelligent, mobile automation solutions, KUKA is establishing a reliable basis for efficient, flexible production worlds of the future:

KMP 1500

The KMP 1500 is an omnidirectional, mobile platform that navigates autonomously and flexibly. Combined with the latest KUKA Sunrise controller, it provides modular, versatile and above all mobile production concepts for the industry of the future.

KUKA omniMove

KUKA omniMove is our transport platform for heavy loads. Move it with great ease into the right position – with ultra-precision and in the tightest of spaces. The KUKA omniMove also offers excellent mobility, easily operated by remote control.

KMR iiwa: ready for major challenges

The autonomous LBR iiwa robot is HRC-capable and mobile. It combines the strengths of the sensitive LBR iiwa lightweight robot with those of a mobile, autonomous platform.