What You Should Clarify Before Choosing

Choosing a mobile robot does not begin with a specific model. It begins with the transport task the robot needs to perform. The load, transport requirements, surroundings and existing infrastructure all influence the type and number of robots required, as well as the overall design of the solution. Here, you will find an overview of the most important factors to investigate.

You do not need to know all the answers in advance. We can help you assess the requirements.

Start With the Transport Task

What needs to be moved, how often and how far?
The same robot may be well suited to one transport task but less suitable for another. The existing workflow should therefore be mapped before comparing individual models.

Load Carriers

What does the robot need to transport? This could include pallets, trolleys, racks, boxes, trays or custom designed load carriers.

What types of load carriers are used?
What are their dimensions and shapes?
Do they have wheels, legs, openings or other special features?
Are the load carriers always positioned and oriented in the same way?
How many different variants must the robot be able to handle?
Are the load carriers stable, or does their condition and quality vary?

Number of Transports

How many transports are carried out per hour, shift or working day?

It is important to distinguish between average demand and periods of peak activity. For example, if several production lines need to be supplied simultaneously, this may affect both the number of robots required and the need for buffers.

Transports per hour and shift.
Average demand compared with peak activity.
Simultaneous supply of multiple production lines.
Return transport of empty load carriers.

Transport Distance & Destinations

Map where each transport begins and ends, as well as how far the robot needs to travel.

The number of pickup and delivery points.
The distance between points.
Whether the robot carries a load in both directions.
Whether routes change throughout the day.
Whether the robot needs to pass through gates, automatic doors or lifts.
Whether the route crosses areas with heavy traffic.

Transport distance and waiting time directly affect the available capacity.

Timing & Prioritisation

Should transports follow a fixed schedule, or should the robot be called when needed?

Some tasks can wait, while others are critical to production. If several tasks arise simultaneously, it is therefore necessary to determine which transports should be prioritised.

The Load & Transfer Process

How should the load be picked up and delivered?
The weight of the load is important, but weight alone does not provide the full picture. The pallet design, load stability and pickup method can be equally important.

Total Load Weight

Use the heaviest combination of goods and load carrier as the basis for your calculations. This is the total weight the robot must be able to handle.

Also consider:

Whether the weight varies between transports.
Whether the load is evenly distributed.
Whether the centre of gravity may change.
Whether the load can move during transport.
Whether heavier products may need to be handled in the future.

Pickup & Delivery Height

Where is the load located when the robot needs to pick it up, and at what height must it be delivered?

This could include:

Directly on the floor.
At a station.
On a roller conveyor.
Inside a machine or production line.
In a rack.
On top of another load carrier.

Precision & Positioning

How precisely is the load positioned at pickup, and how accurately must it be delivered?

If pallets, trolleys or racks are not always positioned consistently, additional centring or station modifications may be required. Small variations in manual positioning can significantly affect an automated process.

Application Area

Where will the robot operate?
The general application area provides an indication of the workflows involved, but the specific facility must always be assessed individually.

Production

In production environments, the robot will often supply production lines, move semi finished goods or transport finished products. Delivery timing may be critical, and the robot must operate safely among employees, machinery and changing activities.

Distribution

Distribution environments often involve a high number of transports, longer distances and distinct periods of peak activity. Capacity, uptime and efficient traffic management can therefore be particularly important.

Warehousing

In a warehouse, the robot must operate between racks, buffers, gates and manually operated forklift trucks. Aisle width, storage height and the location of pickup points are key considerations.

The Physical Operating Environment

Can the surroundings support reliable operation?
The robot must be able to operate reliably and safely under the conditions found at the facility. The physical environment should therefore be assessed early in the process.

Floor Conditions

Consider uneven surfaces, holes and damage, joints and transitions between different floor types, ramps, gradients and level differences, floor load capacity, dust, dirt, liquids and loose materials. Some areas may need to be repaired or modified before the robot is put into operation.

Space Requirements

Measure the width of aisles and passageways, door and gate openings, turning areas, the space around stations and machinery, restricted overhead clearance, lifts and airlocks. The measurements must account for both the robot and the load it transports.

Employees & Forklift Trucks

Map the areas where the robot shares space with employees, manually operated forklift trucks and other vehicles. Blind corners, busy intersections, gates and narrow passageways should be included. Traffic rules or floor markings may need to be adapted.

Temperature & Humidity

The temperature must remain within the approved operating range, and rapid transitions between cold and heated areas must be considered. Condensation can affect sensors and electronics, while cold stores and areas with strict hygiene requirements may require a stainless steel solution.

Network & Charging

Is the technical infrastructure ready?
Network connectivity and charging are sometimes addressed late in a project. However, both should be included in the initial planning.

Network

Mobile robots and fleet management systems depend on a stable network connection to receive tasks, coordinate traffic and communicate with other systems. Coverage should be tested along the actual driving routes.

Stable coverage throughout the operating area.
Signal strength near gates and racks.
Handover between access points.
Requirements from the IT department.
A separate network or VLAN.
Firewall and security policies.

Charging Station Locations

Charging stations must be positioned so that robots can charge without blocking other traffic or travelling unnecessary distances. Most robots use opportunity charging.

Expected operating pattern.
Operating hours and shifts.
Charging between tasks.
Number of robots and charging stations.
Available power supply.
Cable routing and protection.
Future expansion of the fleet.

Standalone or Integrated Solution

How should transport tasks be created?
A mobile robot can operate as a standalone solution or be integrated with the company’s existing systems and equipment.

Standalone System

Transport tasks can be created using a push button, screen, tablet or user interface. Even when choosing a standalone system, future integration requirements should be considered so that the solution can be expanded later.

Simple and clearly defined workflows.
A limited number of pickup points.
The option to begin with a smaller solution.

Integrated System

An integrated system can automatically receive and perform transport tasks through a WMS, MES, ERP, PLC or production equipment. Before development begins, it should be clarified which data will be exchanged, which system will create the tasks and how errors or missing responses will be handled.

Gates and automatic doors.
Lifts and airlocks.
Conveyor systems and pallet magazines.
Production machinery.
Scanners and sensors.
Any additional safety systems.

Support & Remote Access

How should the system be supported?
Remote support options should be clarified with the company’s IT department before the solution is put into operation.

Direct Remote Access

Direct remote access makes it possible to review alarms, system status and log files quickly. The connection must comply with the company’s network and data security requirements.

Access via VPN

Some companies require all support to be provided through a customer managed VPN connection. It must be clarified how access is authorised, who can establish the connection and whether it is available outside normal working hours.

Checklist for Assessing Your Requirements

Have you investigated the most important factors?
Before choosing a specific robot solution, you should be able to describe as many of the following points as possible.

You Do Not Need to Know All the Answers in Advance

Tell us how the transport task is currently handled, what needs to be moved and where the transport takes place.
Together, we can assess the requirements, evaluate the physical conditions and determine which types of robots are suitable for your business.