Gefco has started testing the Stanley Robotics autonomous mobile robot in real operating conditions on its Nanteuil-le-Haudouin platform in France.
The robot, known as Stan, is designed to optimise storage operations on finished vehicle logistics compounds.
Combining mobile robotics and an artificial intelligence-based software solution for storage, the 100%-electric robot is able to receive orders, detect and lift cars and then park them a few centimetres apart.
During the pilot test, two Stan robots will be tasked with moving and parking used cars on around 100 dedicated parking spaces. They will then remove vehicles on demand to make them available in lines ready to be loaded by an operator onto car carrier trucks.
The aim is to determine whether use of robots fits with Gefco’s vehicle logistics processes at its compounds. Tests will be carried out in different scenarios on a large number of cars. They will take place in a zone dedicated to robots and closed to non-authorised personnel, to comply with safety standards.
The pilot will also assess the integration of software and operational tools.
The project supports Gefco’s approach, based on testing different technologies such as robotisation, artificial intelligence, big data and robotic process automation (RPA), as well as using alternative energies.
“One of Gefco’s ongoing priorities is to innovate and adopt new technologies,” said Gefco France president, Vittorio Battaglia.
“This Stanley Robotics robot test is part of this approach to innovation and continuous improvement in our processes to meet customers’ needs.”
For his part, Stanley Robotics CEO, Clément Boussard, added: “It’s an important step for us and we’re confident it will mark the start of a longstanding partnership to deploy robots at other Gefco automotive logistics platforms.”
Stanley Robotics is a tech company which combines hardware and software to provide solutions for outdoor logistics.
The technology lies in a robot lifting and moving cars autonomously and in an intelligent storage management software.
https://www.gefco.net/en/newsroom/press-releases/detail/news/gefco-tests-stanley-robotics-autonomous-mobile-robot-for-vehicle-storage-operations/