Combat skills shortages and inefficiency

Combating a shortage of skilled workers and inefficiency: Omron provides four food for thought for intralogistics in the automotive sector.

Sometimes we look too much at the big picture and forget the smaller yet very important processes that characterize smart production. One example is intralogistics, i.e. the flow of materials and goods that takes place on a company premises or in a production hall. A BVL study found at the beginning of the year that over 80 percent of the companies surveyed consider an increased use of AI and automation in intralogistics to be necessary in order to be able to meet challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers or growth projects.

1. Synergies in the ACES structure are becoming increasingly important

The ACES trend – abbreviation for Autonomous, Connected, Electric and Shared – requires a holistic rethinking of minds and production halls. But what needs to be taken into account when it comes to transport and intralogistics? Modern intralogistics includes, for example, innovative robotic solutions such as mobile robots. The car company BMW relies on mobile LD robots from OMRON to transport materials. These Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) are equipped with an active and height-adjustable conveyor attachment (load-carrying device).

Intralogistics also includes delivery logistics, internal movements, conveyor belts, forklifts, high-bay warehouses, SCARA robots, cobots and more: many areas where companies can start to improve processes, relieve employees, save time and become more efficient. Example of battery production: A battery in the e-mobility environment is moved and transported very frequently until it is finally completed. This requires numerous technologies and solutions that support intralogistics and are closely interlinked.

2. Industrial ecosystems are becoming increasingly important

There are many examples in industry that underline the growing importance of technology partnerships in the smart factory - because the future competitiveness of the automotive industry cannot be achieved alone. In this context, an IDC study on IIoT in Germany 2022 predicts that by 2026 almost a third of all sales of the largest companies worldwide will come from shared data, applications and operational initiatives within industry ecosystems.

3. Standardization of communication interfaces

Networked and automated intralogistics is an important building block on the path to the smart factory. Intralogistics companies like Synaos support companies in covering transport processes via software and in linking the various workflows in the process. This includes supply chain, ERP, ECM, purchasing of raw materials, manufacturing or delivery. With the help of standardized communication interfaces, the potential of mobile robotics can be better exploited, as they allow vehicles from different manufacturers to be more seamlessly integrated into a fleet control system and operated more efficiently. For example, order and traffic management can be combined on one user interface.

4. AMR without expensive modifications

Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) help to significantly increase productivity in manufacturing and logistics processes. They increase throughput, minimize errors, optimize material traceability and ensure that employees can concentrate on tasks that require complex human skills. In contrast to traditional driverless transport systems, intelligent AMR are based on the spatial conditions of the respective facility and do not require any costly modifications.

Intralogistics offers numerous opportunities to become faster and more efficient. It is precisely this flexibility that is urgently needed to lead the automotive industry into the future.