IFOY Audit
Finalists undergo the three-stage IFOY Audit as part of the IFOY Audit, which takes place during the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS. This consists of the scientific IFOY Innovation Check, the IFOY Test and the jury test.
arculee2
arculus GmbH
The arculee2 is an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) for inhouse production and logistics areas that brings the capabilities from self-driving cars and economies from mass production into industrial environments.
It is controlled by a robotic control unit (rcu™), that allows fleet learning and over the air updates. That allows the AMR to increase customer value constantly while operating in the field.
Product name and company
arculee2 – arculus GmbH
Category
Mobile Robot
Description
The arculee2 is designed as a versatile means of transportation for goods in production and logistics use cases.
In combination with the arculus Modular Production System it creates value in three different areas:
- Modular Production: moving products from one workstation to another without predetermined routes
- Goods-to-person warehouse applications for order picking and sequencing of components from large (GLT) and small containers (KLT)
- Automated material handling from the warehouse to the place of need (e.g. supply of assembly lines)
Innovations
In the past AMRs have been in the best condition at the point of sale, when the customer took ownership of it. Due to the proprietary electronics and software architecture of the arculee2, arculus created a constantly upgradeable robot. A strong team of engineers constantly collects data from the fleet to build and train models in order to increase the performance of specific components. Obviously, tests and simulations are run before the upgrades are approved and ready to roll-out to the fleet over the air via 5G or WiFi.
The robotic control unit collects information from an extensive suite of sensors, similar to the one of a car, such as LIDAR, ultrasonic, (3D) cameras, accelerometers and bodysound microphones and creates an unique understanding of the state of operation and the surroundings of the robot. This not only allows for dynamic driving and navigation, but also for predictive maintenance, object detection/classification and intelligent charging. Most of the computation is done on the robot with minimal energy consumption, possible due to the usage of chips that are optimised for parallelisation and the computing of neural nets.
Market relevance
arculee2 is designed as a universal means of transport for logistics and production use cases in industrial environments across all verticals. The previous version (arculee1) is currently in use in a productive environment at customers such as Audi, allowing for gains in efficiency and space reducing while delivering availability is more than 99,5 percent.
arculee2 is a universal platform and its functionality can be further extended via a “backpack interface”. This interface includes power, signal and safety, so that all kinds of attachments (such as a workpiece carrier) can be mounted without the need of changing the base platform. Due to its versatility, arculee2 addresses not only the 30 billion US-Dollar warehouse automation market but also several production use cases which extend the market size by an approximate factor of two.
Customer benefits
Core advantages of the arculee2:
- Autonomous transport of products and material (payload up to one ton)
- Robust localization and navigation based on sensor data fusion
- In-line charging for maximum utilization
- Available in three sizes: S, M, L
- Logging pipeline and tools for analysis
- Over the air updates enable continuous updating of the fleets in the field
- Predictive maintenance concept for maximal availability
- CE certification and safety concept for collaborative human and machine environments
Test report
Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) are on the rise and numerous manufacturers are developing hardware, for example for the automated provision of assembly lines or picking according to the goods-to-person principle. The arculee2 from the manufacturer arculus is the successor to the arculee1. It is available in three sizes with load capacities of up to one tonne.
The arculee2 is controlled by a robot control unit that enables fleet learning and over-the-air updates.
All data converge on an integrated card from which the AMR is controlled. The advantage here is that the number of components and thus the costs are significantly reduced. Ultimately, users get more for their money.
In combination with the arculus Modular Production System, the arculee2 transports containers and pallets from one workstation to another without predefined routes. The AMR locates and navigates freely based on sensor data fusion.
The robot collects information using multiple sensors, accelerometers, cameras and even body sound microphones. Based on this data, the arculee2 creates an image of the environment and the robot’s performance. This enables dynamic driving and navigation behaviour and also helps to optimally and efficiently plan reloading and service.
The exact positioning also behaves extremely flexibly in the test. For example, if the load does not lie completely straight on, the arculee2 recognises this and easily adjusts its position in relation to the load.
Most of the calculations are performed in the robot itself with minimal energy consumption. Thanks to the patented electronics and software architecture, upgrades can be quickly and easily transferred to AMRs, for example via 5G or WiFi.
arculee2 is a universal platform. Its functionality can be extended with various attachments if required. The integrated battery is charged online, ensuring maximum availability. New charging points can be added flexibly and within just ten minutes.
The test team is convinced that this system can further increase efficiency in both production and logistics environments while saving valuable space. The availability of goods remains high.
IFOY Test Verdict
As the variety of products in AMRs grows rapidly, the differentiator is not so much the hardware as the software. Easy implementation and integration as well as management and possible changes are in demand. In this area, the arculee2 performs above average compared to the competition. The arculee2 is extremely robust, extremely compact and, thanks to the flexible customisation and update options, also future-proof.
IFOY Innovation Check
Market relevance
It is a concept adapted for modular manufacturing. The system is closely related to Mobile Robotic Fulfilment Systems. It is an important transport technology in both industry and commerce.
Customer benefit
arculee2 is a technologically sophisticated, yet very well modularised concept. The other advantages: a very small installation space and charging is possible in the process. In addition, optimal centring and thus high accuracy are made possible when used in tight spatial environments.
Novelty
The product has a very innovative sensor and navigation technology, including SLAM. The design is very compact and robust. The manoeuvrability is optimal.
Functionality / type of implementation
Very nice, industrial implementation with standardised control. The vehicle appears compact and robust. Plus points are also the good implementation of a very innovative and novel technology and a great standard control. The product is very performant. Negative points are not apparent.
| Functionality / type of implementation | + |
| Novelty / Innovation | ++ |
| Customer benefits | ++ |
| Market relevance | ++ |
| ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available | |
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Image/video credits: Audi AG
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The International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year has three bodies: Jury, sponsors, and advisory board.