Why Choose BlueBotics? 8 Questions for Liftco

A material handling leader in Greece for almost thirty years, Liftco first partnered with BlueBotics in 2018. The company integrates our ANT lite⁺ navigation technology into its growing range of automated forklifts, and these vehicles are then managed at customers’ sites using our ANT server software.

Below the company’s CEO, Thanassis Papaleloudis, gives his feedback on the experience of working with BlueBotics and ANT technology.

1. What challenge were you looking to address by working with BlueBotics?

As an AGV integrator who undertakes automation projects from design right through to installation, we needed a trustworthy partner for the precise localization and flexible navigation of our vehicles. Furthermore, it was essential for us to find a partner who could support any technical difficulties we might experience during installation to optimize our commissioning times.

2. What was your main concern before working with us, if you had one?

Our main goal was to find a robust navigation system that could suit different sizes and models of AGV. At Liftco we provide custom-made solutions that help our clients automate their daily operations, so the repeatability and effectiveness of the navigation system was a major challenge we were looking to overcome.

“Our main concern was finding a robust navigation system.”

3. What specific aspects of our ANT navigation technology do you appreciate the most?

The aspect we appreciate most is the fact that ANT doesn’t require significant structural references in the environment in order to localize and therefore guide the vehicle. This flexibility allows us to meet the demands of many different applications, especially as lack of space is an important limitation on most logistic and production sites.

This ability for the vehicle to function precisely, in an environment with few references, enabled one of our customers to build and operate an entire warehouse without needing any racking systems. They use our Clampie AGV system.

The process works like this: the AGV picks up boxed white goods — which have been placed by manual forklifts in an inbound lane — using its clamp system. It then drops these goods off, stacking them up to four boxes high, in the warehouse’s storage area, according to their geometrical characteristics and the product inside.

What’s impressive is that the lanes of this storage area are completely without infrastructure; there are no racks at all. The loads are not even on pallets. The Clampie simply (and gently) grabs the boxes and builds up the lanes by depositing products in the correct positions. The lack of navigational references in this type of open area is a challenge for any autonomous navigation system, and this is where ANT shines.

4. How well does BlueBotics technology work — when commissioning vehicles, in operation, at a fleet level etc.?

BlueBotics technology is excellent at maximizing the efficiency of our AGVs, regardless of the size of an installation or the number of vehicles in a fleet. ANT driven AGVs don’t lose their orientation, their map, or their routes, so no unjustified downtime is caused. What’s more, BlueBotics’ outdoor GNSS solution has also brought a new flavor to our offering, allowing us to meet our clients’ requests for continuous indoor/outdoor operations.

5. How has working with BlueBotics changed your business?

By working with BlueBotics as our navigation partner we’ve managed–in just four years–to integrate all different types and sizes of automated forklifts and AGVs, including pallet trucks, stackers, reach trucks (with different kinds of lifting attachments), VNA trucks and counterbalanced forklifts. Thanks to this scope, our business portfolio has expanded across business sectors, from logistics to pharma production and heavy-duty production sites, in Greece and abroad.

“We’ve managed–in just four years–to integrate all different types and sizes of automated forklifts and AGVs.”

6. What specific results have you experienced from working with our team?

We have successfully delivered some very demanding AGVs projects, performing not only floor-to-floor transports but also serving different kinds and heights of racking systems and production lines. All our AGVs are part of our delivery of complete automated solutions, and they rely strongly dependent on the repeatability and precision of the navigation system. The most important benefit is that all these projects can easily be expanded and supported remotely.

7. How would you describe the support offered by BlueBotics?

The technical support from BlueBotics has been excellent. We are often in direct contact with their service team, and they’re always able to help us quickly and effectively. Their online Support Portal also works very well and is a great additional resource. From a sales perspective, I can also only speak positively about our collaboration; the cooperation between our teams has been smooth and highly supportive on every level.

8. What is the main reason you might recommend BlueBotics to other vehicle makers?

We would highly recommend BlueBotics, not only for the quality of its ANT product and flawless service, but also because the team is always open to new ideas and solving technical challenges.

Thanks Thanassis!

• Explore Liftco’s AGVs
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