When shortlisting navigation and fleet management partners for your AGV or AMR project, it is important to assess not only their technology, but also how they will support you through the vehicle development process and beyond. This guide explains how we work with our vehicle maker customers at BlueBotics.
Every supplier of autonomous navigation and fleet management software works a little differently.
At BlueBotics we combine market-leading ANT natural navigation technology with comprehensive support that spans the processes of integrating ANT into your vehicle, installing that vehicle at your first customer site, training your team, and even positioning and launching your product onto the market.
From deep engineering know-how to commercial best practice and marketing support, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how it works…
When we partner with a company that is developing an automated guided vehicle or mobile robot, this collaboration typically spans seven phases
During our initial discussions with your team, our Sales Managers explain how our ANT navigation technology works, and they check that our system is a good fit for the specifications and target applications of your vehicle. Then they prepare you a quote for a BlueBotics Integration Package.
During this in-depth meeting with our project management team, we discuss all the details of your vehicle project. We review your navigation-related choices—such as LiDAR scanners, communication protocols, motor drives, steering and more—and we agree on your project’s timings and next steps. After this meeting, we then ship you your vehicle’s ANT hardware controller.
BlueBotics is headquartered in Switzerland, within easy reach of Geneva Airport. We also have satellite offices in the USA and China, plus highly knowledgeable in-country distributors in Japan, South Korea and Thailand. While most of our communication with you will be by phone, email or video (in your choice of more than five languages), we’re also able to meet you at your premises, or welcome you to ours – we’ll provide the Swiss chocolate.
In the pre-integration phase, most of the work is conducted by your team, however you receive unlimited remote support from our expert team of engineers for any questions you may have, or further discussions needed.
For example, your team will need to implement any mechanical, wiring, and electronic modifications discussed in the kick-off meeting. Your team will also configure your vehicle’s motor controllers, program the onboard PLC (if used), and implement your vehicle’s safety system.
In this key development phase we integrate our ANT hardware controller into your vehicle. We do this together, at your site, flying in one of our system engineers to ensure the process runs smoothly (all associated expenses are included in the BlueBotics Integration Package).
We run a final check and fine-tuning of your vehicle’s settings. We calibrate and test. We help you verify and finalize your vehicle’s control and safety systems. And, if required, we can provide additional programming support on demand; for example, for your vehicle’s Zapi or Curtis motor controller, or its safety PLC.
Last but not least, to squeeze the most value possible from our engineer’s visit, they will run a full ANT training session for your team, spanning our entire technology stack: ANT (embedded software), ANT lab (configuration software), and our ANT server fleet manager. Invite as many colleagues as you can!
Now you have a fully working prototype AGV/AMR, and its default parameters have been set, it’s time to industrialize this vehicle and produce as many units as you require for your first commercial project and/or future demonstrations. Our dedicated support team remains on hand for any remote assistance required.
We also provide your commercial team with a free training. The goal: to ensure they understand how ANT technology works and how to talk about its benefits. This technological education is combined with best practice tips on how to go-to-market with your ‘ANT driven’ vehicle, and a full overview of the marketing and business development support our team can provide.
Now it’s time to install your new AGV/AMR at your first customer site.
Installation covers everything required to put your vehicle into production and pass your customer’s Site Acceptance Test (SAT).
It spans from initial project planning (programming routes and actions) in ANT lab, and project simulation with ANT server (crucial for calculating the number of AGVs required and avoiding deadlocks), through to on-site vehicle calibration, environment preparation, site mapping, programming interactions with equipment, and connecting ANT server to your client’s WMS, MES, ERP or middleware platform.
Installation phase also includes the second on-site visit from a BlueBotics engineer (included in our comprehensive BlueBotics Integration Package), who accompanies you to your customer’s site to ensure commissioning success and provide additional on-the-job training for your team.
With your first successful customer installation completed, it’s time to go to market with your solution – expanding your first project (e.g., adding more AGVs or manual vehicle tracking), using this to create your first case study, deploying more new projects, and potentially collaborating with our team on your next ‘ANT driven’ vehicle model.
Here, BlueBotics’ marketing and business development teams can be a great help, for example by including your vehicle(s) in our own promotions, at a level that suits you, and delivering you end-user opportunities via our end-user site www.ANTdriven.com.
Here are a few words from four of our longstanding vehicle maker customers:
"The support we’ve received throughout has been excellent" - Joseph Cotterill, Automation & Technology Installation Manager, MasterMover
“BlueBotics combines proven, flexible technology with outstanding support" - Martin Ruhland, Managing Director, kyneos automation
"The technical support from BlueBotics has been excellent. We are often in direct contact with their service team, and they're always able to help us quickly and effectively." - Thanassis Papaleloudis, CEO, LIFTCO
“By working with BlueBotics and using its ANT technology in our EcoProFleet AGVs, we gain a reliable navigation solution, and our team can focus on our key business. The whole BlueBotics team has a great spirit and a great mindset, with a strong focus on common progress." - Stefano Bell, Product Manager, Dürr AG
If you would like to discuss working with BlueBotics to create an AGV or AMR, click here to book a free, no obligation discovery call.