Manufacturing

Common use cases

Parts and materials delivery

Waste and recycling removal

Assembly line support

Tool and equipment transport

Parts transportation to quality assurance

Benefits

Efficiency: Streamlining material handling and transportation processes leads to increased efficiency in production and reduced downtime.

Cost savings: Cost savings through reduced labor requirements, minimized errors, and optimized use of resources.

Accuracy and consistency: Precise and consistent movement of goods minimizes the risk of errors in material handling and ensures a high level of accuracy in inventory management and assembly line processes.

Increased safety: Reduced need for manual handling of heavy or hazardous materials, enhancing workplace safety for employees.

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Transforming Material Handling: A Strategic Partnership with Global Automotive Manufacturer

Use case background

German global automotive supplier.

Specialized in producing cogwheels.

Transport production samples from the production station to QA for tolerance testing.

Problem

The production specialist manually transports the samples, leading to inefficiencies in the production process.

The company purchased two AMRs of EUR 40k each to do the work to save time and costs.

Both AMRs broke, leading to multiple weeks of downtime and going back to manual labor.
• The robots required an external technician for the repair.
• Some repairs failed, requiring a robot replacement, involving a large pallet shipment and long lead time.

Solution

The company replaced the AMRs with wheel.me robots for a third of the price.

The deployment and onsite training of this use case took < 1 day.

The company uses existing carts to mount the robots onto.

wheel.me provided an onsite swap pool and technical training for quick hardware replacements to minimize downtime.

Results

• No manual transportation.
• Saving 120 minutes per day.
• More efficiency in other areas.
• Repairs and service done independently by customer.
• More control over the production process.

Transforming manufacturing: Collaborating with a global automotive manufacturer

In 2021, wheel.me forged a partnership with a prominent global automotive manufacturer. The company operates over 50 plants worldwide, using manual labor as the primary method for material handling. Facing challenges such as a volatile job market, soaring labor costs, and industry demands for enhanced speed and efficiency, they had been investigating alternatives such as AGVs and AMRs for years.

After wheel.me conducted a successful proof of concept on-site in early 2022, the company committed to deploying 300 robots across two of its facilities in the US and Europe. The initial phase, launched in November 2022, already boasts 24 robots efficiently moving materials to the assembly line.

The eagerly anticipated second phase of the project is scheduled to commence later in 2023.

Logistics

Common use cases

Replenishment of picking locations

Waste and recycling removal

Cross-docking

Returns processing

Benefits

Operational efficiency: Faster and more efficient processes in picking, packing, and shipping.

Inventory optimization: Ensures timely restocking of shelves, helping to maintain optimal inventory levels and reducing the likelihood of stockouts or overstocking.

Time and cost savings: Reduced transit times and associated costs. Automation minimizes manual handling, leading to overall cost savings in warehouse operations.

Accuracy and reliability: Robotic systems provide a high level of accuracy in goods movement, minimizing errors and enhancing reliability.

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Revolutionizing logistics: A strategic partnership with a global industry leader

In early 2022 wheel.me partnered with one of the world’s leading global logistics providers, operating in approximately 2100 locations.

With their active innovation team and a high demand for automation to decrease costs and increase efficiency and reliability, the company committed to approximately 440 robots in 2 warehouses in Europe. As of 2023, 28 robots have been commissioned and are operating in one of their sites.

Within Q3 and Q4 of 2023, the remaining robots are being deployed. The scope of this endeavor is considerable, encompassing seamless integration with other AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and automated machinery at both locations, a testament to the determined pursuit of logistic excellence.

Healthcare

Common use cases

Waste management

Linen management

Medical equipment transport

Inventory management

Benefits

Efficiency in waste and linen management: Ensuring timely and efficient waste management delivery and freeing up the hands of medical staff.

Optimized inventory processes: Automated transportation of medical supplies between storage areas and departments results in better inventory control, reducing the risk of shortages or excess stock.

Enhanced hygiene and safety: Automation reduces the need for manual handling in waste and linen management, contributing to a more hygienic environment.

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