ek robotics — a NEURA brand is one of the most experienced manufacturers and suppliers of transport robotics and offers a modular service portfolio with a focus on performance analyses, practical workshops, and targeted retrofits. Current projects in the confectionery, packaging, and pharmaceutical industries demonstrate the added value of data-driven optimization. With Analysis as a Service (AaaS), ek robotics has developed a service model that makes actual system performance visible, identifies optimization potential, and significantly extends the service life of automated fleets. “We often see that systems run stably but do not reach their full potential in daily use,” explains Marcel Rowe, system analyst at ek robotics. “With AaaS, we make actual performance measurable based on real operating data, not assumptions.”
Credit: NEURA Mobile Robots GmbH
Automated guided vehicles from ek robotics optimize material flows in the long term. Prerequisite: Performance is regularly checked and improved as necessary.
The approach combines operational data analysis, practical consulting, and technical modernization. Bottlenecks, downtime, or inefficient driving patterns become visible and can be specifically remedied, from organizational adjustments to hardware upgrades. In practice, this has led to higher throughput, more stable processes, and significantly fewer manual interventions for customers in the sporting goods and confectionery industries. A central component are performance workshops, in which concrete measures such as layout optimizations or new traffic control concepts are derived from the analysis results. “Regular analyses and workshops are the most effective lever for securing runtime and ROI in the long term,” emphasizes Ronald Kretschmer, Chief Sales Officer at ek robotics.
The modernization of existing fleets also plays a key role. As part of the refit program, electronic and mechanical components are replaced and brought up to date. An example from the pharmaceutical industry shows that after more than 18 years of three-shift operation, a plant was comprehensively modernized and expanded by seven vehicles. The result: state-of-the-art technology, increased safety, and many more years of operation.
With over 400 active systems and more than 3,000 vehicles worldwide, ek robotics supports its customers throughout the entire life cycle – from planning and commissioning to modernization after 20 or 30 years. "An AGV is not a one-time investment, but a permanent infrastructure," says Marcel Rowe. "Our Analysis-as-a-Service approach ensures that systems remain efficient and future-proof in the long term."