Bridging the Gap Between Indoor And Outdoor Logistics: When Intralogistics Becomes Interlogistics
Published on : Tuesday 31-10-2023
The transition from intralogistics to interlogistics represents an opportunity for companies to gain a competitive edge, says Lars Hee Hansen.
No business’ logistical flow stops within their production line, but their automation often does.
Companies tend to invest heavily in optimising their intralogistics to ensure the smooth flow of materials within the confines of their facilities. However, a critical bottleneck arises when moving cargo out of a production unit. The transition from indoor to outdoor logistics presents a unique set of challenges for AMRs and AGVs, resulting in manual handling. Unfortunately, manual processes at this juncture places companies at increased risk of errors, inefficiencies, and increased operational costs.
The heavy reliance on labour puts companies at risk due to historically low unemployment rates and increased labour costs. To stay competitive, scale their business, and maintain conformity to existing process standards, companies need new automated and digitised solutions for a wide range of tasks – and in new domains. To this end, CAPRA ROBOTICS® emerges as a transformative force in logistics.
The bottleneck of logistics
Whereas intralogistics refers to optimising and managing the logistical flow of information and physical material within a facility, we propose a new concept for moving goods across entire facilities in uninterrupted logistics flows: Interlogistics.
Interlogistics involves the transfer of goods from the well-controlled indoor environment of a facility to the more unpredictable outside environment with various challenges such as weather conditions, heavy traffic, and challenging terrain when goods move between buildings. Because the two environments are worlds apart when it comes to classic automation, this transition is often accompanied by manual processes, which introduce various complications. Manually moving material between production sections with forklifts increases the risks of errors, damage, and increased operational costs. A lack of real-time tracking contributes to extended lead times while additional labour, storage, and the need for error rectification all contribute to higher expenses. Now, however, there is an alternative.
Bridging the gap between indoor and outdoor logistics
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To bridge the gap between indoor and outdoor logistics effectively, businesses must take a holistic approach. The goal is to bring the same level of automation, efficiency, and accuracy that characterises intralogistics into the realm of interlogistics. In addition to a strategic shift in mindset this approach also requires the appropriate technology.
CAPRA ROBOTICS® has created an AMR solution that unifies indoor and outdoor logistics operations by being able to move cargo beyond the confinements of the shop floor. The Capra Mobile Robot utilises the latest advances invision- and AI-based mapping as well as satellite-based positioning to enable both indoor and outdoor navigation.
The indoor navigation system consists of a state-of-the-art VSLAM perception engine, coupled with PLd-certified industrial radars. The AI-powered camera system offers easy mapping of production and logistics areas as well as automated updating at double the rate of LiDAR mapping. Combined with the agility of the robot’s design, this allows the solution to operate in constrained areas and dynamic environments.
The outdoor navigation system rests on a proprietary Kalman Filter consisting of sensory input from GNSS signals, Odometry, and IMUs within the robot. The Kalman Filter dynamically weighs the input from the various data sources and applies them in a probability calculation for which data inputs to trust. This means that the robot automatically switches navigation systems when the environment changes.
Due to the precise dual navigation system, the Capra Mobile Robot can speedily and accurately transport goods between buildings. With this ability, the robot can be used in a wider range of applications than typical AGVs, making it a more flexible tool.The solution reduces the need for manual labour typically associated with moving goods from inside the warehouse to a truck or a second close-by warehouse and increases overall efficiency. At the same time, the electrically powered mobile robot reduces the need for fuel-powered vehicles and can contribute to significantly more sustainable and eco-friendly logistics operations.
Fit for any environment
The robot and its navigation system have an IP65 rating and are designed to operate in varying climate conditions and effortlessly navigate in direct sunlight, precipitation, lowlight, and uneven terrain. This allows it to move cargo safely and efficiently through even the most challenging and dynamic environments.
The combined system is extensively tested and safe for use in busy industrial environments, with multiple safety protocols and features built into the design. The robot features state-of-the-art PLd-certified radar sensors, the most dependable safety sensor for combined indoor and outdoor driving. The radars work in any weather and lighting conditions, can measure several objects simultaneously and have a response time of less than 100ms for optimal safety.
Interoperability
The solution is designed for easy interoperability and can be integrated into existing logistics infrastructure without the need for additional investments. Tasks generated in their central management system (WMS/MES/ERP) can be easily communicated to the robot via the Capra Fleet Manager using the VDA5050 interface. The robot can be intuitively added to an existing AMR or AGV fleet orset up as a stand-alone solution. Regardless of the preferred level of integration, CAPRA ROBOTICS® offers a flexible solution with the functionality of high-level tech and the reliability of low-level tech.
Flexible payloads
The AMR is designed with advanced material handling capabilities, allowing it to handle a wide range of goods and materials with ease. The system is designed with the flexibility to handle both standard load carriers as well as customer- and industry-specific packaging. In effect, the solution supports top deck loads of up to 50 kg, and carts with a load of up to 500 kg. Due to its modularity and versatility, a single AMR can reduce the need for manual labour and helps to accommodate companies’ growing labour shortage issues.
Automated operations
Automated pick-up and drop-off sites as well as docking to charging stations reduces the need for human intervention, allowing clients to utilise their personnel for tasks that truly require human capabilities.
Courtesy of the novel perception engine and high-precision docking, the robot supports automated loading and unloading of SLCs, racks, pallets, and customer-specific packaging. The high-precision docking feature also enables the robot to automatically dock to a wireless charging station.The solution has a documented uptime of more than 10 hours and features automated charging which further ensures minimal downtime in operations.
Tracking and documentation
A combined vision- and GNSS-based tracking system tracks the robot’s location in real-time. Collected data is displayed on a user-friendly interface that allows businesses to easily schedule and manage transport tasks and make any necessary adjustments to the route. With these features, the robots can operate for long hours without human intervention and ensure that inventory is always accurate and up to date, which allows facilities to better utilise their existing resources.
Key benefits
1. Automated Operations in Dynamic Environments: The perception engine enables the robot to navigate more robustly in dynamic environments compared to LiDAR-based SLAM. Regardless of how often cargo and machinery is relocated within the environment, the robot will still execute its missions unaffected.
2. Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Material Handling: Streamlining the flow of information and goods across the entire facility can significantly reduce manual interventions. The Capra Mobile Robot seamlessly handles transitions from flat to inclined surfaces and from controlled to shifting weather conditions.
3. Data Integration and Interoperability: Ensuring that all the systems involved in interlogistics can communicate and share data seamlessly is crucial. Capra Robotics’ VDA5050-based approach to data integration and interoperability allows for a more cohesive logistics ecosystem, minimising errors and inefficiencies.
4. Real-time Tracking and Visibility: Employing AMRs for real-time tracking and visibility is essential for managing logistics effectively. The system can provide real-time data on the location and condition of goods in transit. This transparency enhances accountability and enables timely decision-making.
Navigating the future of logistics
In conclusion, the transition from intralogistics to interlogistics is a pivotal point in the supply chain that can no longer be ignored. Manual processes at this junction compromise efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. Businesses must adopt a holistic approach to bridge the gap between indoor and outdoor logistics. This approach, which focuses on digital documentation management, real-time tracking, automated workflow, and data integration, paves the way for a new era of efficiency in logistics, facility wide.
The future of logistics lies in the seamless flow of goods, information, and automation from the moment they enter the facility to the moment they leave. As businesses embrace this holistic approach, they will find themselves better equipped to navigate the challenges of campus logistics, leaving behind the errors, inefficiencies, and operational costs that have plagued the past.
The CAPRA AMR is a truly innovative product, designed to extend the level of automation for the standard factory by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and streamlining logistics operations on the entire campus. The transition from intralogistics to interlogistics represents an opportunity for companies to gain a competitive edge, and a mobile robot from CAPRA ROBOTICS® is the natural improvement for taking one’s material handling operations to the next level.
Lars Hee Hansen is Chief Commercial Officer at Capra Robotics, a Danish high-tech company that creates versatile Mobile Robot Platforms for multiple applications. Lars has more than 25 years of experience with successful integration of AMRs and Lean Logistics Solutions at global automotive companies in Europe, China, Korea, Mexico, and the US. He has played a pivotal role in establishing thriving business units focused on global sales to major sub-suppliers within the automotive industry, including VW, BMW, Bosch, ZF, Magna, Schaeffler, Valeo and Brose.
