The Use Of Robotics In Retail Enviroments€¦ · MetraLabs GmbH | Am 1| 2017-03-23 Vogelherd 22|...

| 2017-03-23 www.MetraLabs.com 1| 2017-03-23 www.MetraLabs.com 1MetraLabs GmbH | Am Vogelherd 22| D-98693 Ilmenau, Germany | www.metralabs.com

The Use Of Robotics In Retail

Enviroments

Robert Arenknecht

MetraLabs GmbH

| 2017-03-23 www.MetraLabs.com 2| 2017-03-23 www.MetraLabs.com 2

Robots?

MetraLabs - history and experience

Robots in retail enviroments

TORY

Review

Q & A

Agenda


What are Robots?

MetraLabs - robots that inspire.


What are Robots?


• Mobile Platforms• Autonomous driving

• Mapping• Localization• Navigation


Robots in Retail Enviroments


Why Robots?

Om

ni-C

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el

Retail

Web

Mobile

Social Media

Robots are the key for a successful Omni-Channel strategy


About MetraLabs GmbH, Germany

Development and manufacturing of autonomous mobile robots for retail, industry, health care and research institutions

>15 years of experience

▪ Founded in 2001▪ Experts in autonomous mobile robot

technologies and robot interaction


High quality service

▪ Made in Germany▪ Personal contact and support

International customer base

▪ >250 robots deployed worldwide▪ Our robots are deployed in: EU, USA,

Canada, Russia, China, Brazil, UAE etc.

Complete autonomous driving

▪ >45’000 miles driving experience▪ Approved for safe, unattended use in

public environments (CE/TÜV)


About MetraLabs GmbH, Germany

Development and manufacturing of autonomous mobile robots for retail, industry, health care and research institutions

Hardware Development

• Design and Construction

• Assembling

• Integration

• Motor Control Unit

• RFID antennas

• Chargingstation

• Custom setups


Software Development

• Navigation

• Obstacle avoidence

• Mapping

• Localization

• Applications


MetraLabs’ mobile robot applications

Qu

elle

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er

Applications

Guidance

Cleanroom

Transportation

Museum

Inventory


Robots in Retail Enviroments


Customer InteractionStore Management Store Maintenance

• Information

• Navigation

• Kiosk

• Planogram

• Layout

• Stock

• Cleaning

• Inventory

• Transportation


Customer Interaction


Use-Cases▪ Information about Products, Deals, etc▪ Guidance to department, products▪ Start point of customer service

Robot-Features▪ Autonomous driving▪ Touchscreen - Store applications, Service, Kiosk

Benefit of robots▪ Multimedia customer interaction▪ Same quality of service 24/7▪ Data collection


Store Maintenance


Use-Cases▪ Planogram▪ Store Layout▪ Sales floor stock▪ Cleaning▪ Security

Robot-Features▪ Autonomous driving▪ Cameras, Vaccum Cleaner, RFID

Benefit of robot▪ Consistent Data collection▪ Automatic processes over night▪ Relief of store associates

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Store Management


Use-Cases▪ Transportation▪ Inventory

Robot-Features▪ Autonomous driving▪ RFID

Benefit of robot▪ Standard data collection, consistent history▪ Automatic processes over night▪ Relief of store associates▪ Information can be used for store design, customer interaction robots


TORY: Robot for RFID-stocktaking in retail

TORY


TORY: Robot for RFID-stocktaking in retail

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGTkL_gacvU


Design

Unique shape to maximize maneuverability and RFID read performance

Sleek modern design to minimize footprint and maximize mobility

Platform

Based on a modular, compact and durable mobile platform

Industrial grade components (high reliability, low maintenance)

Arranged for addition of extra equipment (modularity)

Power Supply

• High capacity state of the art Li-battery:

• Up to 18 hours operation time with ca. 4 h recharge time

• Autonomous re-charging after every stock-counting cycle

TORY features – robot hardware


Computer

High performance “PC on wheels” (i7 64 bit CPU, SSD, OS: Linux)

Embedded computer uses rugged, standardized components

IoT: Standardized interconnectivity (CAN, USB, Wi-Fi, ….)

Sensors

Intelligent multi-sensor systems for autonomous navigation

High quality, industrial grade SICK Laser-range-finders

Infrared sensors for detection of small obstacles on floor

Odometry sensors for precise motion tracking of TORY

TORY features – robot hardware


TORY features - software

Autonomous driving

Localization

Simultaneous path planning

Dynamic obstacle avoidance

Safe around people

Autonomous mapping

Easy to use mapping tool

Automatic map updates without user input

User interface

Easy to use interface for setting up and controlling the robot

Internet connectivity for communication with other services (IoT)


Acquisition Range

High scanning range of >20 ft. in radius &>10 ft. in height

TORY features - RFID

RFID Equipment

Reading speed

Up to >300 tags/s

Localization

Position of tag estimate within ca. 3 ft.

Inventory quality

Typ. >99 % read accuracy


Trial environments (2014 – 2015):

(excerpt, * data as disclosed by retailers)

User trials at several fashion retails:

▪ Conducted user trials with half a dozen retailers

▪ Evaluate viability of robots as replacement for handheld inventory

▪ Requested tag capture accuracy: ≥ 98.5 %

Stock-taking: Results of field trials

Store Shelf types Size Time Read rate

Store A Mostly low racks 25’000 ft² ~2h 30m 99.0% (overall)

Store B Tall metal shelves 40’000 ft² ~6h 15m > 99%

Store C Evenly mixed 20’000 ft² ~3h > 98.5 % *


Insight #1: Excellent read performance

▪ Single run read accuracy matches or exceeds handheld accuracy

▪ Several times higher read rate (20’000 to more than 60’000 tags/h)

▪ Provides accurate localization (up to 3 ft.) of individual products

Insight #2: Easy operational integration

▪ Quick and easy set-up procedure and fully unattended operation

▪ Requirements for daily operation set by retailers were fully met

Insight #3: Suitable fully autonomous navigation

▪ Fast enough to perform a full nightly inventory even in large stores

▪ Changes to environment (moved racks etc.) can be dealt with

Stock-taking: Insights of field trials


PROVEN TORY Technology:▪ In daily usage since December 2015 at ADLER

Modemärkte AG, a fashion retail chain in Germany

▪ ADLER is fully satisfied with application of TORY:

▪ Fully autonomously stock-taking every night

▪ Typical accuracy >99%, full store coverage

▪ Reading speed of 5’000 to 20’000 ft²/ h

▪ Seamless data-integration to warehouse management server by Wi-Fi

▪ Usage of handheld readers revealed unnecessary (a few still used for specific inventory processes)

▪ Minimal support required by sales associate

TORY in daily use since 2015


Workflow – Omnichannel Integration


Benfit of Robots

• Connecting an off-and online experienceCustomer

• Live stock updates for online platforms

• BOPUS

• PlanogramStore

• (Automatic) data collection

• optimizing processesBusiness


The End

Thank you!

The Use Of Robotics In Retail Enviroments€¦ · MetraLabs GmbH | Am 1| 2017-03-23 Vogelherd 22|...

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