Research Projects

FlexTools

The modular toolbox for flexible robotics, tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized automotive suppliers

Start: 09/2023

End: 08/2026

Motivation

Automation solutions are essential for many companies, particularly those in the automotive and supply industries, if they want to remain competitive. However, introducing automation solutions can pose significant challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For example, if autonomous mobile robotics (AMR) were to be deployed in existing environments that have evolved, known as brownfield sites, the restrictions in place, legacy IT systems, and a lack of expertise, combined with high investment costs, would represent significant barriers.

Project target

FlexTools facilitates the cost-efficient and accelerated deployment of flexible mobile robot technologies in production, supply, and intralogistics through a modular system that includes different robotics concepts, interchangeable planning and control methods, and digital twins for virtual commissioning. To this end, FZI is researching and developing approaches for the flexible design of algorithms for various control levels, from fleet control and order management to local decentralized coordination and adaptation mechanisms. “Curious” robots should also be enabled to use their available time independently and sensibly. The FlexTools building block kit also includes components for the standardized connection of AMRs to digital twins or open-source algorithm libraries, which are intended to facilitate the interoperability and integration of the technology. This allows mobile robots to be tested virtually, the overall system to be planned, optimized, and designed, and new algorithms to be tested.

Approach

The modules of the FlexTools building block kit are implemented in line with the requirements of two representative use cases from the automotive and supplier industry. The system is further developed during the project implementation phase based on continuous feedback from the project and associated partners. This ensures that the approach is transferable and enables other companies to further develop their processes independently.

Contact

Dr.-Ing. Katharina Glock

Division Manager

Research Division: Information Process Engineering

Research Focus

Intelligent Transportation Systems and Logistics

Intelligente Lösungen für den Transport von Menschen und Gütern für die Mobilität der Zukunft stellen einen Schwerpunkt der FZI-Forschung dar. Dazu entwickelt das FZI integrierte Mobilitätssysteme – von der Fahrzeugautomatisierung über die Anwendung von KI in Verkehrssystemen bis zur urbanen Mobilität und Logistik.

Funding notice:
The research project “FlexTools – the modular toolbox for flexible robotics for small and medium-sized automotive suppliers” is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of the Federal Republic of Germany and by the European Union as part of NextGenerationEU under the funding code 13IK032.