automated guided vehicles Archives

New AGV Hero in the Warehouse

Posted on 28 July, 20257 August, 2025 by David Priestman

In the pursuit of more efficient, productive and safe operations, a growing number of warehouses are implementing automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

“Companies continue to invest in automation, and in many cases AGVs present the most feasible investment, resolving a number of business challenge, such as labour shortages, worker safety, the need for a flexible factory layout, space saving as well as meeting the demands for more productive and efficient operations,” says Martin Broglia, MD of Bonfiglioli Australia and New Zealand. “As the AGV sector matures, we’re seeing a trend towards solutions that are customisable, modular and deliver precision and high performance. To meet this need, Bonfiglioli has developed the specialised BlueRoll gearbox”.

The BlueRoll is a wheel-mounted gearbox, specifically developed to meet the requirements of the AGV sector, delivering excellent position accuracy and high energy efficiency for long operating cycles. This gearbox is almost completely enclosed by the wheel and can be fitted directly to the chassis of the vehicle, making installation easy. The integrated wheel is supported directly by reinforced gearbox bearings, which permit ultra-high radial forces. It’s available in various sizes to meet load requirements, and reaches a speed of up to 2 m/s. With its compact axles and flat design, the BlueRoll is a space-saving solution.

“This is a gearbox that is built to handle heavy loads. It’s also a durable solution, using high-quality precision planetary gears. It comes with a range of feedback systems including safety encoders,” says Broglia (pictured). “It’s ideal for use in a wide range of warehousing and materials handling applications.”

Martin Broglia

The BlueRoll is currently available in three models:

1. BlueRoll BASIC: Achieves max speed of up to 2m/s, it can handle loads from 360 – 1020 kg. It’s available in three sizes – the 1.7kg TQW 060; the 5.5 kg TQW 070 or 10.9 kg TQW 090.

2. BlueRoll ADVANCED: Delivers low inertia and features a holding and safety brake. Available in three gearbox sizes – with four motor frame options, and a wide range of encoders for easy system integration. The ADVANCED is available in a range of sizes, from the 1.3 kg BMD 65, right up to the 7.7. kg BMD 118.

3. BlueRoll COMPACT: It’s 25% more compact than a standard motor-gearbox solution and is highly customisable. It also offers high energy efficiency thanks to its optimised mechanical design.

“Selecting the right gearmotor is critical. Our technical team ensure extensive consultation and collaboration with the customer, to deliver the solution that meets application requirements,” says Broglia.

Making its local debut

The BlueRoll will make its local debut at the 2025 Foodtech Packtech & MHL expo (taking place from 2-4 September 2025 at the Auckland Showgrounds, with free registration). Bonfiglioli will be exhibiting a number of innovations for the food processing and packaging sector. “The BlueRoll has a lot to offer the AGV brands and we can’t wait to introduce our customers to this smart product,” concludes Broglia.

AGVs for Supply and Disposal of Printing Machines

Posted on 4 November, 202429 July, 2025 by David Priestman

More and more companies are relying on automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in intralogistics to increase efficiency and meet challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers. This is also the case at GGP Media GmbH in Pößneck, Thuringia, which produces high-quality print and digital publications.

AGVs as a solution for skills shortages and increased efficiency

In view of the shortage of skilled workers and rising costs, GGP Media decided to use an AGV in March 2024, which has been in 24-hour operation ever since. Previously, material transportation in production was carried out manually, which led to a bottleneck: “We were having increasing problems finding skilled workers and therefore had to look for future-proof alternatives,” reports Matthias Stumpf, Head of Intralogistics at GGP Media. “Rising labour costs and the shortage of skilled workers made the use of an AGV increasingly attractive in order to find a reliable and efficient solution without additional personnel costs.”

Tailor-made solution for 24/7 operation

A material flow simulation was carried out before the AGV was implemented. This provided important insights into the optimum number of vehicles and potential bottlenecks in the layout. The aim was to automate the transport processes between the printing presses and the high-bay warehouse. To meet GGP Media’s requirements, ek robotics developed a concept with three driverless transport vehicles from the modular VARIO MOVE series. These vehicles are equipped with shortened forks and counterweights to pick up the finished goods on europallets and transport them safely to the transfer stations of the high-bay warehouse.

Automation to optimize logistics processes

The automation project at GGP Media shows that AGVs are an efficient and future-proof solution for overcoming challenges in intralogistics. Even with complex, tightly timed processes and limited space, the integration of automated guided vehicles offers an efficient way to improve the material flow. GGP Media’s experience shows that automated systems not only lead to an increase in costs and efficiency but can also be easily integrated into existing working environments.

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Home Fitness Warehouse Automated

Posted on 20 February, 202425 July, 2025 by David Priestman

The retail company Sport-Tiedje is automating its new logistics centre with driverless transport systems from ek robotics. In Osterrönfeld near Rendsburg, nine transport robots from the VARIO MOVE series and four fully automated VNA MOVE narrow-aisle forklift trucks will optimize the home fitness expert’s transport and warehouse processes.

A small sports store in the center of Schleswig has developed into Europe’s leading home fitness specialist over the past decades. Sport-Tiedje GmbH employs around 700 people in 10 European countries. Due to the company’s strong growth, the previous central warehouse in Büdelsdorf reached its capacity limits. The dimensions of the new central warehouse in Osterrönfeld near Rendsburg are correspondingly future-oriented: Over 51,000 m² of warehouse space offers room for order picking, storage and handling of goods. The driverless transport system from Hamburg-based manufacturer.

North German partnership

ek robotics ensures efficient warehouse automation with decades of high availability. The automated guided vehicle fleet comprises nine vehicle models from the modular VARIO MOVE L series, which are responsible for linking incoming goods, order picking and outgoing goods. The high-bay warehouse will also be operated automatically in future and will contribute to an efficient material flow between the areas. The four fully automated narrow-aisle stackers will store and retrieve pallets precisely in the high-bay warehouse with 30 aisles and a length of 80 m each. “The AGV from ek robotics will support the staff on site and significantly improve processes in the central warehouse,” says Christian Grau, Managing Director of Sport-Tiedje.

Warehouse Automated

ek robotics is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and system integrators of innovative high-tech transport robotics for production and warehouse logistics. At five locations worldwide (Hamburg, Germany, headquarters), Reutlingen (Germany), Milan (Italy), Prague (Czech Republic) and Buckingham (UK), the transport robotics specialist with over 300 employees creates intelligent, networked and flexible transport solutions for the fully automated, internal material flow of its globally active customers.