Wärtsilä and DHL deploy mobile robots to streamline warehouse operations
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Wärtsilä and DHL deploy cutting-edge mobile robots from Fetch Robotics to streamline warehouse operations
The technology group Wärtsilä and DHL have completed a successful pilot, where the companies tested mobile robots of Fetch Robotics. The pilot was carried out in Wärtsilä’s central distribution centre in Kampen, the Netherlands, where the entire logistics chain of Wärtsilä’s spare parts, from order intake to customer delivery, is managed. As Wärtsilä’s partner, DHL runs the warehouse operations.
The aim of the project was to investigate possibilities to utilize the latest technology innovations in the daily operations of the warehouse. Wärtsilä and DHL also wanted to gain more understanding of the added value of robotics in a warehouse environment and to learn about the human–technology interface between robots and employees.
The mobile robot system simplifies point to point material handling. Workflows at Wärtsilä’s warehouse can be set up and modified very quickly to accommodate today’s dynamic environments, without the need for complex programming. Workers can interact with the robots via touchscreen and send them on their journeys with a push of a button.
“Our colleagues took center stage during the trial. The robots are designed to work alongside employees and to relieve them from physically strenuous tasks. The robots alone took over a walking distance of more than 30 kilometers per day, thereby increasing productivity and safety within the warehouse working environment,” says Denis Niezgoda, Robotics Accelerator Lead, DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation.
The autonomous mobile robots have a loading capacity of 78 kilograms and can cover a distance of two meters per second. When the battery life of maximum nine hours comes to an end, the freight robot independently makes its way to the charging unit. The intelligent robots recognize their location and surroundings, and can differentiate between dynamic and static obstacles, thus enabling evasive action to work safely with and around people.
Questions & Answers
Q.What was the main goal of Wärtsilä and DHL in deploying these mobile robots?
What was the main goal of Wärtsilä and DHL in deploying these mobile robots?
Their aim was to explore how the latest technology could be used in daily warehouse operations. They also wanted to understand the added value of robotics and the interaction between robots and employees.
Q.How did the robots contribute to employee welfare and productivity during the trial?
How did the robots contribute to employee welfare and productivity during the trial?
The robots were designed to work alongside employees, relieving them from physically strenuous tasks. They covered over 30 kilometres daily, which increased both productivity and safety within the warehouse.
Q.What are the key technical specifications of the mobile robots used in the pilot?
What are the key technical specifications of the mobile robots used in the pilot?
The autonomous mobile robots have a loading capacity of 78 kilograms and can travel at two metres per second. Their battery life lasts a maximum of nine hours before they independently seek a charging unit.
Q.How do the robots ensure safe operation within the warehouse environment?
How do the robots ensure safe operation within the warehouse environment?
The intelligent robots recognise their location and surroundings. They can differentiate between dynamic and static obstacles, allowing them to take evasive action and work safely alongside people.