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Special Feature: Distribution SF
WHY MULTI-TASKING LGV BEATS AUTOMATED MOBILE ROBOTS IN AUTOMATION
William Nelson President, Elettric80
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hat makes automation projects successful? Is it the hardware? Good operators? Luck? The answer is likely a mix of hardware and good operations management but two critical elements, arguably the most important of all, are missing.
Just think about it for a while Planning and system design are without doubt the most important elements to reach the highest level of performance, repeatability, and cost-effectiveness. Experience in mining and interpreting information and diligence in data crunching round out the system design process. For the Elettric80 Group (E80), we have been demonstrating this since 1992, during the initial implementation of our first automatic guided vehicle. The main objective of the system engineer, system analyst and business analysts is to develop a concept layout, test the concept under all conditions through real world simulations and write the narrative around the entire set of functions and “what if” scenarios that can occur in any given second. But this is not the end of the story. The brain of any system drives its performance, and this is where things get really interesting. In effect planning,
system design, data crunching, simulation and the functional design story inform the development of an integrated software platform that, like a conductor of an orchestra, ensures that all pieces of any automation play, work, harmoniously and complementarily. An integrated software platform combines the following elements and functions: • Decision making software (SW) to optimise utilisation of resources and prioritisation of work. This SW uses native information obtained through the planning and design process outlined above to establish priorities and define processes, and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict and assimilate to changing conditions • Smart mission management SW to direct resources towards work, shorten or swap missions to reduce mission time and release missions in faster successions • Predictive traffic management to make traffic flow without interruptions, blocking intersections and intelligent route selection • Real time system management tools such as web-based visual operator interface to observe, control and adjust missions if required.
It’s the brain that makes the difference As with world-class athletes, a truly high-performing automation systems starts with a sharp, well-trained brain connected to strong and flexible extremities (HW). Obviously, the quality of both elements (SW and WH) is fundamental to the success of an automation system as both are intertwined and one cannot function without the other. The brain of a system is the most underrated aspect for many prospective buyers. Sure, we’re all used to kicking the tires on equipment, it’s the most tangible sensation we can gather and process. But let’s not forget where this all starts: with
the brain. An automation system is only as good as its driver which in this case is its SW brain that commands, adapts in real time and makes nanosecond decisions all day, every day. Sure, you can all relate to feeling foggy in the head some days and how that affects your decision making and reaction time. The same holds true for automation – clear ideas lead to outstanding results. Your SW provider will demonstrate this through analysis of your business practices followed by comprehensive E-2-E testing prior to arrival at site.
If it seems too good to be true… It’s interesting to see the proliferation of a vast array of automated mobile robots (AMR) in the marketplace today. Surely the logistics world will benefit from the capabilities of these machines. Indeed, AMR offer a partial, but very limited set of capabilities to the automated logistics toolbox. AMR are touted as easy to install, flexible lower cost alternatives to other mobile automation technologies and under certain specific circumstances this is true. For the most part, however, AMR offer only a limited range of activities and capabilities and cannot be considered as a solitary solution in multifunctional logistics projects. AMR manufactures will glowingly promote their simple navigation systems, configurable layouts and traffic control systems, however the devil, as always, lies in the details and in this case the details are important to distinguish in system planning and design. In reality, most logistics systems require multiple functionalities such as lifting to various heights many kinds of materials of varying weights and shapes. They also include changing environments from production replenishment to warehousing to raw material handling to truck loading and unloading. This is just a snapshot of examples of the practically unlimited logistics Tissue World Magazine | July/August 2021
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Special Feature: Distribution
William Nelson, President, Elettric80, explains how a fit-for-purpose logistics system is only as good as its driver … its brain making nanosecond decisions all day, every day.
