Open solution for heterogeneous fleets

This allows users to cover the internal transport spectrum from small load carriers to larger and heavier loads of up to 1,000 kg with fully coordinated automation. K.Hartwall, an established global provider of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and mobile robots with around 1,500 customers, uses the RokitLocator localization software and the Rokit Navigator navigation software from Bosch Rexroth in the A-Mate FreeLift.

A shortage of skilled workers, transparency and increasing the efficiency of internal transport are currently the biggest challenges in intralogistics for production facilities, fulfillment centers in e-commerce and wholesale. In order to map the variety of transport tasks, users are increasingly relying on a combination of AMRs and AGVs from different manufacturers. This allows them to maximize the benefits of automation. On the other hand, the increased volume of traffic requires end-to-end transparency and centralized management via a fleet control system in order to ensure an optimal flow of traffic. Bosch Rexroth relies on the open standard interface VDA 5050 for this purpose.

Simpler engineering and fast commissioning

The automation specialist simplifies the installation and operation of these solutions with modular software for localization, movement planning and fleet management. Based on modern software architecture and open standards, the software modules shorten the time-to-market for new concepts and accelerate commissioning for end users. Manufacturers such as K.Hartwall are already taking advantage of these benefits and opening up new degrees of freedom for the customized automation of intralogistics.

The RokitLocator localization software supports all commercially available laser scanners, vehicle types and IPCs. It can be easily integrated into new and existing vehicle concepts. The software independently maps natural environments (natural feature navigation) without additional orientation aids. The RokitLocator automatically detects changes in the environment in real time, updates the map and communicates the changes to the other vehicles in the fleet.

Maximum openness with the RokitNavigator

The movement planning of mobile robots is handled by the RokitNavigator navigation software, which is available on the market for the first time. The modular architecture based on the open interface VDA 5050 offers maximum flexibility and guarantees full interoperability. The navigation software enables maneuvering in the tightest of spaces as well as fast and highly precise docking to target objects, such as material loading and unloading stations or charging stations. It automatically detects changes in the environment, such as temporarily parked obstacles, and decides according to the situation whether the vehicle should drive around this obstacle or stop and report the interruption to the journey. The RokitNavigator is compatible with all common vehicle kinematics and complements modern localization solutions such as the RokitLocator. Via the VDA 5050 interface, all vehicles in a fleet equipped with it access a common, constantly updated localization map. The shared software stack reduces the complexity of day-to-day operations and simplifies maintenance and future fleet expansions.

Active Fleet Manager orchestrates all transportation tasks

As an intermediary between the vehicles and higher-level systems, the VDA 5050-capable Active Fleet Manager (AFM) from Bosch Rexroth efficiently orchestrates all transportation tasks with Active Shuttle as well as the first mobile robots from third-party providers. The A Mate FreeLift from K.Hartwall is equipped with decentralized intelligence and is fully functionally integrated. On the intuitive user interface, users of the AFM can adapt routes, waypoints and jobs to current requirements without programming. All vehicles thus use a common navigation map within the AFM. The Active Fleet Manager standardizes the operation of the AMRs used, such as Active Shuttle and the A-MateMate FreeLift. No additional training per vehicle type is required for the fleet management software. Users can therefore map all transport tasks consistently under one system: from the material transport of small load carriers (quarter pallets) to the transport of pallets.

No project costs are incurred when implementing intralogistics automation with AFM, Active Shuttle and coordinated AGVs or AMRs from third-party providers. As a result, the project costs for installation and application changes are significantly lower compared to other systems on the market.Bosch Rexroth meets the legal requirements for IT security for all software solutions and thus offers protection against unauthorized access to sensitive data or cyber attacks. RokitLocator, RokitNavigator and Active Fleet Manager therefore fit seamlessly into NIS-2-compliant security architectures. At LogiMAT in Stuttgart, K.Hartwall will be demonstrating the seamless coordination of its new autonomous mobile robot (AMR) A-Mate Lite and the A-MateMate FreeLift with the Active Shuttle using Bosch Rexroth software modules in Hall 8, Stand 8B65.

LogiMat, Hall 8, Stand 8B47