BMW Group introduces self-driving robots in Supply Logistics

Autonomous robots transport car parts in Logistics

Innovation assists staff in Materials Procurement

Recycled BMW i3 batteries to power future robots

 

Munich/Wackersdorf. Plant Wackersdorf supplies the
BMW Group’s international assembly and production sites with car
parts. In the hall of Supply Logistics, a self-driving robot maneuvers
itself underneath a roller container with parts. Silently and with
flashing lights, it picks up the container and begins to move through
the logistics hall. The system is complicated and extensive; nobody
can find their way around without a good sense of direction. But this
is no problem for the transport robot, which is about the size of a
suitcase. Flanked by radio transmitters and equipped with a digital
map, it drives independently to the destination of the goods. When
tugger train cross its path, a fitted sensor identifies the obstacle
and stops the self-driving robot with car parts loaded weighing up to
half a ton.

Digitization is essential for production

In terms of smart logistics, the BMW Group is promoting innovative
and trend-setting logistics systems: “The development of the Smart
Transport Robot is an important milestone for the BMW Group when it
comes to digitization and autonomization in production logistics. This
innovation project makes an important contribution to the agility of
the supply chain in Logistics and Production. It enables the supply
chain to adapt to changing external conditions quickly and flexibly,”
comments Dr. Dirk Dreher, Vice President of Foreign Supply at the BMW Group.

Autonomous navigation in Supply Logistics

Measuring its distance to three radio transmitters allows the robot
to calculate its exact position and route. With the help of sensors,
it identifies critical situations and can respond accordingly, sharing
the route with people and other vehicles. At a later point when the
innovation is being implemented in series operation, a 3D camera
system will make navigation even more accurate.
The transport
robot will be able to function without the floor-mounted induction
loops for navigation and will move freely within the space. The
battery-powered radio transmitters mounted to the walls of the hall
can be expanded to further areas in logistics flexibly without major
effort and at low costs.

Utilization of recycled BMW i3 batteries

For the BMW Group, a self-driving robot tailored to meet the demands
of the company’s supply logistics and production supply is a top
priority. Besides custom-fit measurements for the containers to be
transported, the vehicle also has sufficient battery capacity as the
developers have drawn on the experience gained with BMW i: batteries
previously fitted in BMW i3 vehicles are being sustainably reused.
This BMW i3 battery module will provide eight hours’ worth of energy,
covering a full shift.

Pilot project is being transferred to series operations this year

The BMW Group has partnered with the Fraunhofer Institute for this
project. The collaboration under the label of the BMW Enterprise Lab
for Flexible Logistics was established in September 2015. It aims to
explore future solutions for logistics areas. Initial findings will be
presented at the trade fair LogiMAT 2016 in Stuttgart from March 8 to
10, 2016, at the stand of the Fraunhofer IML as well as in the forum
“New transport robots – agile, strong, versatile”. In the future, the
Smart Transport Robot can be deployed in both packing areas and in
assembly logistics. This step in the automation simplifies the
materials procurement process for workers in packing departments and
reduces the supply space in the supermarket. The self-driving robot is
being developed and tested at the BMW Group’s Innovation Park in
Wackersdorf. This center is the logistics hub for material management
and just-in-sequence supply to BMW Group sites in ten different
countries. Wackersdorf is also home to the cockpit production for
several plants.

 

Additional information

The presentation of the Smart Transport Robot in the forum “New
transport robots – agile, strong, versatile” takes place on Tuesday,
March 9, 2016, between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m. in Forum A, Hall 1. The fair
stand of the Fraunhofer IML is located in Hall 1, Stand 1K61.