Innovation meets intralogistics processes – Nagel-Group tests autonomous double trolley system from Filics
Together with the Munich-based start-up Filics, Nagel-Group is testing an innovative double skid system consisting of two autonomous robots at the pilot site in Schweitenkirchen near Munich.
Nagel-Group as the first innovation partner
Innovations are everywhere in everyday life. Ideas are turned into prototypes, from which ground-breaking technologies are developed. It is not only technical solutions that can be innovative and novel, but also logistics processes. One example of this is Nagel-Group’s innovation cooperation with the start-up Filics, which has developed a new type of driverless transport system. The Filics units – also known as intelligent skids – not only transport goods through the warehouse from A to B, but also support complex logistical processes.
Focus on time-saving automation
To enter the market, Filics is focussing on processes that were previously mainly carried out using hand pallet trucks. The Filics Units system aims to make pallet transport in warehouses more efficient. Thanks to their compact design, the autonomous robots enable pallets to be moved even in the tightest of spaces – an ideal solution for the requirements of modern logistics centres.
The Filics unit consists of two autonomous robots that can drive into and transport Euro pallets. Photo: Filics
Together with the innovation team and employees at the Schweitenkirchen branch, the Filics units have been tested and further developed in several phases since the start of the innovation cooperation in September 2021. ‘A total of three pilot phases of varying lengths were carried out at the Schweitenkirchen site. Each phase had clearly defined goals that were crucial to continuously developing our double skid system and bringing it to market maturity,’ explains Robin Konrad, Chief Operating Officer of Filics.
Starting with the manual control of the skids, new functions such as pallet and zone detection were added in each pilot phase. In the final test step, the Filics unit carried out a live interaction with a manually operated industrial truck. The unit transported a pallet from one area to another zone completely autonomously.
Efficiency thanks to state-of-the-art technology
The Filics units are characterised by minimal space requirements with maximum flexibility and create time and space efficiencies in the warehouse thanks to state-of-the-art software and hardware solutions.
‘The collaboration with Filics is extremely valuable for us, as it gives us valuable insights into the application of the latest technologies in intralogistics. The knowledge gained helps us to make our logistics processes even more efficient,’ says Florian Seffert, Managing Director at CAL Consult, a subsidiary of Nagel-Group that specialises in software development for modern logistics solutions.
The results of the project should create a basis for implementing the system at other Nagel-Group sites. The focus on innovation and modern technologies is part of Nagel-Group’s long-term strategy. Nagel-Group’s most important technology trends can be found in the Nagel-Group Trend Radar.