Under the motto “Mobile Robots in Production”, the VDMA and SYNAOS GmbH launched an AGV Mesh-up at automatica 2023. Ten mobile transport robots from eight manufacturers were on the move in the 850 m² test area, demonstrating various application scenarios under the orchestration of the Synaos master control. SAFELOG was also represented on the test area with two robots of the type AGV S3 and AGV X1.

On the stage of the automatica Forum in Hall A5, SAFELOG Managing Director Mathias Behounek took part in a panel discussion on Thursday at the invitation of the trade magazine “automationspraxis” on the topic of “AGV, AMR & Co: How is mobile robotics changing production?

Significantly improved visitor numbers

While automatica 2022, with just under 27,000 visitors, was still struggling under the effects of the Corona crisis, this year’s events were able to significantly increase their numbers with around 40,000 visitors from 88 countries. In six halls, well-known companies from the fields of automation and robotics showed their innovations and answered questions from interested trade fair visitors. The organizers increased the attractiveness of the range of products and services on offer through various additional offerings such as specialist forums and special shows. The Mesh-up “Mobile Robots in Production” also played its part in rounding off the trade fair offering.

Visitor magnet AGV Mesh-up@automatica

The test area in Hall B4 / Booth 338 turned out to be a center of attraction already in the first hours of the trade show. A particular highlight was a platform from which visitors had an excellent overview of the entire Mesh-up area. The scenario was based on the concept of interoperability, i.e. the interaction of mobile transport robots from different manufacturers in a centrally controlled fleet. To realize this, the VDA 5050 communication interface was used. With its help, all vehicles could be controlled via the central Synaos control station. The transport robots came from Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH, EngRoTec – Solutions GmbH, Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML), Neura Robotics GmbH, OMRON ELECTRONICS GmbH, SAFELOG GmbH, SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co KG and STILL GmbH. An additional real-life touch was provided by the setups of Hahn Automation GmbH. Two production scenarios from the battery manufacturing sector demonstrated the interaction between intralogistics and production with the help of mobile transport robots.

Panel discussion at the automatica Forum

Under the chairmanship of Markus Strehlitz, trade editor of automationspraxis, Jörg Rommelfanger, Head of Robotics Division Germany, ABB AG, Klaus Kluger, General Manager Central East Europe, Omron Electronics and SAFELOG Managing Director Mathias Behounek discussed the potential of mobile transport robots in the production environment on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Mobile robotics has now arrived in the production and logistics halls of this world, that was beyond question. What is important, however, is the know-how in the project planning and commissioning of a robot fleet – not only on the part of the manufacturer, but also on the part of the customer. The expert panel also focused on the need for a high level of mechanization. Does it make sense to overload the mobile robots with technology that is not even needed for the specific application, or should the devices be adapted to the respective process from the outset? The discussion was given a special spin by a large number of questions from the audience, which were answered in detail by the experts on stage.

Conclusion

automatica 2023 impressed with a high proportion of trade visitors, most of whom came to our booth with very specific expectations and inquiries, and some with finished project layouts. The special show “Mobile Robots in Production” did the rest to ensure that our booth was well visited throughout the entire duration of the trade fair.
We are looking forward to seeing you again at automatica 2025.