Hikrobot provides safe, reliable mobile robot solutions to improve logistics efficiency and reduce labor costs. The system is applicable to scenarios including pressing, welding and assembling in main engine plants. With the software platform, the integrated solution enables production data flow, agile manufacturing and lean management.
Challenges Automotive Sector Faces
- Tight production cycle: JIT method is widely adopted. Production suspensions due to delivery delays cause large costs.
- Low efficiency: Traditional transferring mode needs too much manpower, which causes huge labor costs and space wastes.
- Varied components and suppliers: Varied components and suppliers result in picking errors.
- Safety risks: Transport of heavy components create safety risks.
Solution Overview
By introducing robots (including LMR and FMR), workers and components are separated in the entire process. Robots transfer components from platforms to production line automatically. RCS and iWMS are upgraded to match industry features, and support different operation modes including production cycle, call button and PDA etc. This solution reduces the risk of production interruption caused by improper manual operation, and helps to maximize the performance of JIT mode.
Solution Components
LMR
Hikrobot’s Latent Mobile Robot (LMR) is a game-changer for environments where space is limited. Its unique design allows it to slide underneath shelves, pallets, and other carriers, lift them, and transport them with ease. This eliminates the need for bulky lifting equipment and opens up valuable floor space. Hikrobot’s LMR is part of their comprehensive portfolio of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), designed to optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve safety.
Key Features:
- Optimized Motion Performance: LMR has enhanced safety protection and optimized motion performance.
- Flexible Navigation: 2D code or SLAM navigation options.
- Payload Capacity: Up to 1500kg.
- Safety Protections: Laser obstacle avoidance, sound-light alarm, and bumper strip.
FMR
Hikrobot’s Forklift Mobile Robot (FMR) is very important component for warehouse automation! These robots are designed to handle standard bins and pallets with ease, using advanced laser SLAM navigation and vision technology for precise movement and obstacle avoidance.
Key Features:
- High Payload Capacity: Models range from 300kg to 3000kg, catering to diverse operational needs
- Advanced Navigation: Utilizes laser SLAM and vision navigation for accurate positioning (±5mm)
- Flexibility: Adaptable to various warehouse environments and material handling requirements
- Safety: Includes comprehensive safety mechanisms like collision avoidance and emergency stop functions
- Efficiency: Boosts productivity and reduces labor costs with automated material handling
Popular Models:
- F3-1500: Handles up to 1500kg, ideal for large warehouses and manufacturing
- F4-1000C: Compact and powerful, perfect for smaller warehouses or lighter loads
- F1-300T: Versatile and agile, suitable for light-duty tasks and confined spaces
Hikrobot’s FMR series is designed to streamline your logistics and material handling processes, improving productivity and safety.
CMR
Hikrobot’s CMR (Conveyor/Heavy-duty Mobile Robot) solutions for the automotive sector are designed to boost logistic efficiency and curb labor costs. These robots handle tasks like material transferring, assembly, and welding in main engine plants, creating an operational ecosystem where production data flows freely.
Key Features:
- Heavy-Duty Lifting: Supports large material transferring, ideal for automobile manufacturing
- 360° Protection: Laser, bumper, and scram button safety settings
- Adaptability: Docks with machines, transmission lines, or tooling mechanisms
- Omni-Directional Driving: Supports forward, backward, sideways, skew, curve, and rotation
Industry Benefits:
- Saving time and increasing capacity by eliminating repetitive work
- Enhancing automation and system safety in production processes
- Improving flexibility and responsiveness to rapid production demands
Hikrobot’s CMR solutions are part of their broader IIoT, smart logistics, and smart manufacturing offerings.
RCS 2000
Hikrobot’s RCS 2000 Robot Control System is tailored for the automotive sector, enhancing automation and efficiency.
Key Features:
- Multi-Robot Collaboration: Coordinates robots for tasks like welding, assembly, and material handling
- Path Planning: Optimizes movement in complex production lines (e.g., engine, chassis assembly)
- Integration: Syncs with MES/ERP for real-time tracking and scheduling
- Safety: Emergency stops, collision avoidance, and virtual boundaries
Automotive Use Cases:
- Body Shop: Robotic welding and part handling
- Paint Shop: Precise spray painting control
- Assembly Lines: AGVs transport parts between stations
Benefits:
- Boosts Productivity: Streamlines processes, reduces cycle time
- Enhances Flexibility: Adapts to changing production demands
- Improves Safety: Protects workers, prevents collisions
Hikrobot’s RCS 2000 combines robotics with smart logistics, ideal for smart factories.
Solution Advantages
- Scenario-specific hardware design
- Industry-oriented software upgrade
- Seamless docking with upper systems including ERP and MES
- Integrates with industrial automation devices (e.g. robotic arm, code reader, and PTL)
- Application Case: FAW-Volkswagen
Background
The Foshan plant is FAW-Volkswagen’s 4th plant in China, which covers approximately 1.66 million m2. Currently it is the production base of FAW-Volkswagen with the most models on the same production line. During peak period, 2,400 cars are produced per day, involving tens of thousands of components. To handle complex picking tasks and improve efficiency and accuracy, the mobile robots solution was introduced.
Solution
The intelligent logistics system adopted at the Foshan plant is complicated, which integrated FAW-Volkswagen’s FIS and PLP, Hikrobot’s RCS and iWMS, along with 47 LMRs. It is the first “Supermarket 2.0” solution in the automobile industry, that made factory-level collaborative intelligent logistics system a reality.
Customer Benefit
- Reduced manual work intensity by 30%.
- Improved efficiency and accuracy: 100% outbound accuracy in warehouse and 100% on-time supply of components between production lines.
- Real-time exchange of warehouse information.
- Less repeated planning work: supports dynamic inventory arrangement, intelligent load balancing.
