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A shortage of nursing staff, rising patient numbers, complex processes: hospitals are facing enormous challenges. One solution comes in the form of autonomous mobile robots. DS AUTOMOTION shows how automation not only speeds up processes, but also improves the quality of work and supports patient care.

Automation in intralogistics is becoming increasingly important, and with it the requirements for efficient control of automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The Layout Interchange Format (LIF) is a decisive step towards optimizing these processes. DS AUTOMOTION has played a key role in the development of this standard and is already successfully implementing the first customer projects with LIF. Christoph Pramberger, specialist team leader for the development of control technology for new projects at DS AUTOMOTION and chairman of the LIF working group in the VDMA, provides an insight into the advantages and objectives of this format.

Mobile robotics is experiencing impressive growth worldwide, with forecasts of 25% and more. But what does this mean for European companies? Wolfgang Hillinger, Managing Director of DS AUTOMOTION, explains the market situation and why a differentiated approach is essential.

As part of the new construction of the Reims University Hospital (CHU), the hospital has taken pioneering steps to improve the needs of its patients and the working environment of its employees through innovative technologies. A central element of this modernization is the new “Christian CABROL” building with a capacity of 476 beds and an investment volume of 240 million euros in the first phase of the project. This building houses around 23 departments ranging from surgery to urology. The CHU Reims has chosen DS Automotion, an SSI Schaefer Group company, to automate the building's logistics processes with mobile robots and thus make them significantly more efficient.

With AMY, DS Automotion is launching an extremely compact and maneuverable autonomous mobile robot (AMR) for transporting loads of up to 25 kg. The smallest vehicle in the fleet of the established manufacturer from Linz offers full flexibility with predictable autonomy and can be easily integrated into larger fleets. Its load handling, which is as revolutionary as it is simple, enables the creation of cost-effective and low-maintenance intralogistics solutions, especially for handling small parts.

In June 2024, the Montreal Science Centre will be the focus of an innovative meeting that aims to set the course for the future of healthcare architecture. On June 11 and 12, the first edition of the Healthy Architecture Days (JAS - Journées de l'Architecture en Santé) will bring together some of the most experienced architects and designers from the healthcare and medico-social sectors, as well as experts in mobile robotics.

The initial situation in Arburg's transport logistics was clear: the extended assembly areas created by a new hall made it necessary to expand the internal conveyor systems. The new, third assembly hall, which was built in 2019/2020 as an extension of the two existing halls, had to be connected logistically. The existing assembly halls are supplied from the central high-rack warehouse using an electric monorail system. The new transport system was designed to be driverless from the outset and integrates the new hall into the existing logistics chain, ensuring a continuous, smooth supply to all three halls.

LogiMAT, one of the leading trade fairs in the field of intralogistics and supply chain management, has once again surpassed itself this year. As in the previous year, the visitor record was broken again, with a total of 67,420 visitors. We at DS AUTOMOTION can also look back on extremely successful days at the trade show.

The Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) division of the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association has elected two new board members. Wolfgang Hillinger MBA was re-elected to the board after his intensive commitment over the past four years.

Because mobile robots are playing an increasingly important role in intelligent production and logistics, the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association founded a corresponding specialist department back in 2018. The aim was to establish uniform standards for the AGV/AMR market, which are jointly developed in the specialist department.

As a leading manufacturer of malts and baking ingredients, STAMAG Stadlauer Malzfabrik GesmbH is an im-portant partner for breweries and bakeries. Its glass baking ingredient factory in Vienna enables the flexible and hygienic composition of baking mixes according to around 400 recipes. Two driverless transport systems from DS Automotion form the backbone of the production facility, which will open in 2023. A freely navigating sys-tem with model-predictive route calculation in production ensures maximum flexibility and process reliability, while another ensures the rapid availability of cleaned batch containers for assembling the next batch.

Mobile robotics replaces the term "driverless transport" and includes various autonomous vehicles that differ in their application and equipment. But what are the characteristics of the individual vehicles in detail and how does the ARCOS vehicle software facilitate the decision of plant operators to differentiate between the individual autonomous vehicles?

Wolfgang Hillinger, Managing Director of DS Automotion and member of the board of the VDMA was interviewed by Mathis Bayerdörfer, editor-in-chief of the magazine ROBOTIK UND PRODUKTION on the topic of VDA 5050 and its application in industry also alternatives and other interfaces were discussed.