Seamless Robots Revolutionize Production at W. Gessmann GmbH
Robots are now riding elevators at W. Gessmann GmbH, marking a significant milestone in intelligent factory automation. At the company’s new production site in Schwaigern, Baden-Württemberg, Gessmann has partnered with Otis, the world’s leading manufacturer, installer, and service provider of elevators and escalators, to implement a fully integrated, multi-level robotic system. This collaboration highlights the potential of combining advanced robotics with smart elevator technology to transform industrial logistics and production efficiency.
Introduction of GESSbot® Robots
The autonomous robots, developed in-house by Gessmann and manufactured locally, are known as GESSbot®. These robots have been operational for seven years and have already played a crucial role in automating material flow at the new plant. Designed for industrial environments, GESSbot® robots transport parts and materials across the production site, ensuring timely delivery to assembly lines while maintaining continuous workflow. The latest innovation allows these robots to ride elevators, providing seamless movement between floors and enabling just-in-time transport across the facility.
Automation Streamlines Logistics
Seamless The integration of elevator-riding robots brings numerous operational benefits. Logistics processes are streamlined, and efficiency and flexibility are significantly improved. Employees are freed from repetitive transport tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value work that requires human skills. The combination of robotic mobility and elevator automation ensures materials are delivered precisely when and where they are needed, reducing downtime and optimizing production cycles. This system represents a concrete step toward smarter, more adaptable manufacturing environments aligned with Industry 4.0 principles.
Cloud-Based Control with Otis Integrated Dispatch™
A key enabler of this innovation is the cloud-based programming interface, Otis Integrated Dispatch™. Using this interface, GESSbot® Seamless robots can autonomously call elevators, navigate between floors, and complete their transport tasks without human assistance. The system’s advanced algorithms allow the robots to plan routes, choose optimal elevator usage, and coordinate with other automated processes in the plant. By leveraging the cloud, Otis Integrated Dispatch™ offers scalability, real-time monitoring, and seamless integration of multiple robotic units across different levels of the facility.
Enhancing Flexibility in Production
Steffen Kuhnle, Head of Seamless Robotics at W. Gessmann GmbH, emphasizes the impact of this system on production flexibility and efficiency. “With GESSbot®, we have created a solution that makes our production processes more flexible and efficient. Thanks to the Otis Integrated Dispatch interface, we can now use our robots seamlessly across multiple levels – this is another step towards Industry 4.0.” The ability to operate autonomously across floors eliminates bottlenecks and enhances adaptability, allowing the factory to respond quickly to changing production requirements.
Overcoming Traditional Limitations
Historically, Seamless robots required hard-wired solutions to independently use elevators, limiting mobility and complicating automation. Christoph Sengstschmid, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing at Otis in Central Europe, explains the breakthrough: “Otis Integrated Dispatch, our state-of-the-art, cloud-based API, provides a solution. The API interface makes it easy to connect additional robots – even different models from different suppliers. It enables robots to call elevators independently, select their destination, and use them safely, without any human intervention.” This advancement allows for a more universal and scalable approach to integrating robots in multi-floor industrial environments.
Compatibility and Retrofit Options
Seamless Another advantage of Otis Integrated Dispatch™ is its broad compatibility. The technology can be applied to most Otis elevators built since the 1990s and can also be retrofitted into existing elevator systems. This capability ensures that both new and legacy facilities can benefit from automated, multi-level robotic transport without costly infrastructure changes. Companies can upgrade their existing equipment while gaining the operational advantages of autonomous robotic mobility, offering both efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The Growth of the Autonomous Robot Market
The market for Seamless autonomous transport and service robots is expanding rapidly. According to the International Federation of Robotics, global sales of such robots rose by 30 percent in 2023, exceeding 205,000 units. Factors driving this growth include skills shortages, labor cost pressures, and an aging population, all of which increase the need for automation in industrial and service sectors. Innovations like GESSbot® and Otis Integrated Dispatch demonstrate how technology can address these challenges by improving productivity, reducing dependency on manual labor, and enabling precise, efficient operations.
Advantages for Industry 4.0
The collaboration between Gessmann and Otis reflects broader trends in Industry 4.0, where interconnected machines, cloud computing, and real-time data exchange optimize manufacturing processes. Elevator-riding robots exemplify smart factory concepts, combining mobility, autonomy, and intelligence. This approach reduces inefficiencies, improves workplace safety by minimizing human involvement in material handling, and allows for more dynamic and responsive production planning. Facilities adopting such technologies gain a competitive advantage in speed, precision, and adaptability.
Future Potential and Scalability
Looking ahead, the potential for scaling this technology is significant. As more robots are added, the cloud-based interface can coordinate multiple units simultaneously, ensuring smooth traffic flow and minimizing delays. Different robot models, including service and inspection robots, can be integrated into the system, creating a unified platform for all autonomous operations within the factory. Such flexibility supports long-term growth and makes it easier for companies to adapt to future production demands and technological advancements.
A Step Toward Smarter Manufacturing
The deployment of elevator-riding GESSbot® robots at W. Gessmann GmbH represents a tangible advancement in intelligent factory automation. By combining in-house robotic technology with Otis’ cloud-based elevator interface, the company has created a highly flexible, autonomous transport solution that streamlines operations, boosts efficiency, and frees employees for higher-value tasks. This collaboration showcases how automation and connectivity can transform traditional manufacturing environments and provides a blueprint for other industrial facilities seeking to embrace Industry 4.0 innovations. The growth of autonomous robot adoption indicates a clear trend toward smarter, more agile, and more resilient manufacturing processes, with benefits extending across efficiency, safety, and operational flexibility.
Source Link:https://www.otis.com/
