Ronavi Robotics, a developer and maker of Russian logistic robots (part of the TechnoSpark Group of Companies), presented a new business model of using autonomous mobile platform for handling goods at RaaS (robots-as-a-service) warehouses at the CeMAT Russia International Logistics Exhibition (September 24-27, 2019, Moscow), with more than 10 pilot projects scheduled for launching later this fall.

The price of “subscription” to a robotized warehouse starts from 100,000 RUB a month per each robot. The 2-month pilot project involves 2 robots worth 400,000 RUB.

“The subscription-based model allows warehouse owners to robotize their warehouse operation without capital outlays. We are going to integrate a fleet of robots into our clients’ ERP and ensure a 24/7 AMR service. Clients will have the latest software and hardware configurations of robots, as well as all the advantages of autonomous goods handling around the warehouse, which ensures the maximum storage density, increased number of warehouse operations (pickings), reduced warehouse running costs,” Ivan Borodin, CEO of Ronavi Robotics explains.

The subscription-based model is applicable to warehouses that use pallets and racks for storage; the program features Ronavi H1500 robots with a lifting capacity of up to 1.5 tonnes. 

Among the first “subscribers” to the RaaS from Ronavi Robotics are food and non-food companies, online stores and transport companies from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novgorod and Volgograd. Pilots kick off in October or November.

Ronavi H1500 robots have been mass-produced since 2019 in Russia and the Netherlands for the European market.

Using Ronavi H1500 robots significantly boosts the capacity of logistic processes. It is all made possible by the goods-to-man principle: goods are handled around the warehouse by robots, and the robots are controlled by a special program on the server (middleware soft) that determines routes, traffic priorities, robot charging time and order of tasks from the warehouse management system (WMS) for the content of the next order. Robots pick up the selected racks with goods or pallets placed on tables from underneath the racks or tables, lift them up 3 cm until the legs no longer touch the floor and take the goods to their destination. Packers no longer need to rummage around the warehouse in search of the right item in the order, instead they stand at the pickup site where the racks arrive at and all is left to do is just take the item off the rack. Less walking mileage around the warehouse improves efficiency in terms of speed by times.

The company is planning to expand the robot line in 2020-2021: namely, at CeMAT Russia it displayed a preproduction prototype of a robot that sorts out letters and parcels.

Source: Media Office of TechnoSpark

Date: September 27, 2019