DS Automotion Archives

Compact AMR for Efficient Production and Logistics

Posted on 24 January, 202531 July, 2025 by David Priestman

With AMY, a compact AMR for loads up to 25 kg / 55 lbs., and the fleet manager NAVIOS, DS Automotion will be presenting groundbreaking concepts and solutions for production and logistics for any company size at LogiMAT 2025 in Stuttgart. Trade show visitors have the opportunity to experience the new concepts for small load transports with AMY in action both on-site and providing an interactive experience for visitors to try out our fleet management system, NAVIOS.

They are in operation around the clock.They take over precise delivery tasks in the production process, relieve human needs, and ensure on time and precise workflows. They can be adapted in various production areas.

At LogiMAT 2025 from March 11 to 13 in Stuttgart, visitors can take a close look at these solutions with the AMR AMY in live operation. Trade fair visitors can also gain detailed insights into the fleet management NAVIOS – highlighting features how intuitive and user-friendly its cockpit is to operate, and how flexible the layout can be configured, tested by interested parties through test programming at the trade show.

Efficiency booster for small parts handling

AMY was specifically designed for use in industrial production and intralogistics processes and impresses with its quite simple operation and high flexibility. Through a unique transfer concept with an active lift table, sources, and sinks can be implemented as passive stations. This makes cost-effective implementation and scaling in existing systems easier than ever before. The smart control software developed by DS Automotion itself enables rapid commissioning – individually or in swarms.

The AMR can operate completely autonomously or follow a virtual track avoid unexpected obstacles. In addition, like all current vehicles offerings from DS Automotion, AMY is equipped with a VDA-5050 interface and can process files with the Layout Interchange Format (LIF). Under the fleet manager NAVIOS from DS Automotion, AMY can also be operated in mixed mode with other vehicles from the leading manufacturer of mobile robotics for in-house logistics and assembly applications. This makes AMY particularly suitable as a cost-effective addition to existing systems.
Thanks to the three different load handling devices (LHD), which can be implemented depending on the complexity at the customer – even in existing infrastructures – AMY proves to be a versatile AMR for numerous applications. The first variant is a passive LHD that works with the help of gravity. The advantage of this variant is that the LHD does not require sensors or drives. This makes it particularly simple and cost-effective. It works together with the appropriate transfer station, which also does not require sensors. This makes it ideal for applications where the material is provided independently of the vehicle.

The second LHD variant can also handle gravity roller conveyors and belt conveyors. This allows for easy connection to conveyor technology. There are also passive transfer stations for this system. The third option is a platform for manual loading and unloading. For this purpose, the vehicle is called to stations where the user manually places the load and then sends AMY on to next destination. For all three variants, a suitable web interface is available for operating the mobile robots: from generating the transport order to calling and acknowledging the vehicle.

NAVIOS — the holistic fleet manager

The key to optimizing and automating processes in production and logistics lies in an efficient fleet manager. NAVIOS from DS Automotion offers customers the opportunity to efficiently control their vehicle fleet – whether AGVs or AMRs. Thanks to an intuitive user interface and flexible layout configuration, users can easily and individually adapt their operations. Thanks to VDA-5050 compatibility, seamless communication between all mobile robots is also possible. The layout design of the driving course is visualized using a navigation map. The integrated route planning tool ensures maximum efficiency. This means that users can change the layout during operation, and the vehicles automatically receive the updated conditions. Users have access to extensive, meaningful analysis functions around the mobile robots and material handling.

similar news

SSI Schaefer Completes DS Automotion Acquisition

40 Years’ Expertise in Mobile Robotics

Posted on 22 January, 202425 July, 2025 by David Priestman

At LogiMAT 2024, DS Automotion will showcase the results of 40 years of expertise in developing and manufacturing mobile robots, along with providing tailored solutions for individual user needs. The Austrian company has established itself as a global expert thanks to its exclusive focus to this field and a commitment to continuous innovations in its core skills and technologies.

Since 1984, DS Automotion GmbH has been at the forefront of developing and producing driverless transport systems (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robot (AMR) solutions for internal logistics and assembly applications. With now four decades of experience, the Austrian company has established itself as a leading manufacturer in the development of autonomous, navigating vehicles and corresponding fleet management systems.

The ongoing in-house development of essential core skills and technologies solidifies DS Automotion’s position as one of the world’s leading manufacturers in this field. The extensive range of mobile robotics solutions will be showcased at LogiMAT 2024 through live operations, various animations, simulations, and personal discussions with experts across various business areas.

A wide-ranging fleet, born driverless

The variety of mobile robots from DS Automotion is truly impressive. DS Automotion has an entire fleet of standard vehicles in its portfolio for transporting containers such as KLTs, pallets, trolleys and containers. This includes the new AMR named AMY, the underride vehicles of the OSCAR family, pallet trucks, as well as the wheel-arm high lift stackers and counterbalance trucks from the LUCY, AMADEUS, and ARNY series. These vehicles are equipped for all common types of navigation and communicate seamlessly via the latest VDA5050 interface.

DS Automotion is renowned for its wide-ranging customization options for series vehicles, coupled with expertise in developing and producing bespoke, tailor-made special vehicles.
Plannable autonomy

Beyond mobile robots, DS Automotion’s software experts develop cutting-edge solutions like the NAVIOS fleet management system and the ARCOS navigation and control software. These innovations provide a transport system with predictable autonomy, combining maximum flexibility and efficiency from both AMR and AGV worlds into a single, unified transport system in just one installation. Recognized with the IFOY AWARD 2023, this pioneering technology is now progressively rolling out across the entire fleet.

You will find the DS Automotion stand and contact persons in Hall 6, Stand D05

Flexible, Manoeuvrable Addition to AGV Family

Posted on 24 February, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

At the LogiMAT 2023 show, DS Automotion, the specialist for mobile robotics, will present several new AGV highlights in hall 6, booth D05, which are also fully VDA5050 compatible. These include the compact, modular LUCY wheeled arm AGV, the driverless AMADEUS counterbalanced truck and the fully area-mobile OSCAR omni undercarriage AGV, all of which will be on live display. The innovative concept of plannable autonomy, presented last year, was nominated for the IFOY AWARD 2023 in the software category.

Compact and Agile

DS Automotion’s trade show eye-catcher is the compact, modularly designed wheel-arm AGV LUCY. The agile lightweight forklift truck can transport up to 500 kg and lift a maximum of 600 mm.
LUCY offers maximum driving flexibility even in narrow areas. The compact wheel-arm AGV can lift up to 500 kg. Thanks to its modular design, it can be individually adapted to safely transport a wide variety of load carriers. The compact vehicle thus covers many areas of application in in-plant logistics.

Strong Middle Class

The AMADEUS counter is a driverless counterbalanced truck from the established AMADEUS family with a lift height of up to 2.8 m and a load capacity of 1.2 t. It can navigate using all of the established methods and can be operated with various battery technologies and charging concepts. Its particularly small turning circle enables navigation even in narrow aisles. Visitors can experience it live for the first time at LogiMAT 2023.

Full Surface Mobility

OSCAR omni is a new compact undercarriage AGV that can carry a maximum payload of one ton with an underride clearance of 310 mm. Thanks to its omnidirectional drive technology, it offers unrestricted mobility in the area, which means that even complex plant concepts can be realized in small spaces.

Prizeworthy Innovation

The ARCOS vehicle software enables transport vehicles to act not only as AGVs but also as AMRs, thereby setting a benchmark in the world of intralogistics. This provides a transport system that can either use its autonomous functions or follow predefined tracks. For the first time, maximum flexibility and efficiency from the two worlds of AMR and AGV can be realized within just one transport system and in the same facility. This ground-breaking technology was nominated for the IFOY AWARD 2023. You will find the booth and contact person of DS Automotion in hall 6, booth D05.

Future-proof Intralogistics at LogiMAT

Posted on 17 February, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

In dynamic times characterized by crises the logistics sector and intralogistics industry steps up to deliver strategic competitive advantage. As one of the market leaders, SSI Schaefer’s trade fair presence at LogiMAT 2023 in Stuttgart, Germany, shows how its customers are well positioned for the future with comprehensive systems and solutions. Steffen Bersch, CEO of the SSI Schaefer Group, explains the requirements: “We see a high need for investment in automation and efficiency-increasing technologies. With our know-how and wide range of innovative products, software and services, we present ourselves as a partner to jointly realize the customer-specific resilient logistics structure consisting of flexible, scalable and sustainable systems.”

The cornerstones of future-proof intralogistics are the comprehensive portfolio of customized software, the connectivity of the systems and the innovative technologies within the SSI Schaefer Group. This also includes companies such as robotics specialist RO-BER, SAP specialist SWAN and robotics and AGV expert DS Automotion, which will become a full member of the SSI Schaefer Group on March 1, 2023.

For fully automated single piece picking, SSI Schaefer will present its advanced piece picking application at the booth in Hall 1. The highlights of the system, in addition to the patented gripping point calculation, are additional functions such as Pick & Place, AI-supported object recognition, and 100% product verification, which is important for the pharmaceutical industry, among others. Additional highly automated intralogistics solutions will be presented at consulting islands, including complex robotics applications with central shuttle and overhead conveyor technology for efficient omnichannel logistics.

Of particular interest to SMEs are ‘plug & play’ system combinations for partial automation. Processes can be accelerated, spaces condensed, and ergonomic workflows integrated in a simple way and economically. The building blocks of these solutions, some of which will be demonstrated at the booth, include automated guided vehicles, autonomous mobile robots, mobile racking, channel storage solutions with the SSI ORBITER® and the SSI LOGIMAT® vertical lift module.

SSI Schaefer’s own WAMAS logistics software will be brought to life digitally at the trade fair with all its products and modules. Via an augmented reality tool, booth visitors can explore a virtual warehouse and understand the interaction of the WAMAS modules with the equipment and systems. SSI Schaefer’s SAP solutions will be presented at the booth by SWAN, also a member of the SSI Schaefer Group. Intelligent applications being developed in the areas of predictive maintenance, digital twin and cyber security services, point the way to the intralogistics future.

The topics of the planned expert panel discussions, in which customers, science representatives and SSI Schaefer experts will participate, will show the pulse of intralogistics. They take place live daily at the trade show booth.

SSI Schaefer at LogiMAT 2023 in Hall 1, Booth D21. Please also visit other members of the SSI Schaefer Group who are exhibiting at the fair:

• DS Automotion in Hall 6, Booth D05
• RO-BER in Hall 5, Booth F17

Flexible, Manoeuvrable new AGV

Posted on 1 February, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

At the LogiMAT 2023 show, DS AUTOMOTION, a specialist for mobile robotics, will present several new AGV highlights in hall 6, booth D05, which are also fully VDA5050 compatible. These include the compact, modular LUCY wheeled arm AGV, the driverless AMADEUS counterbalanced truck and the fully area-mobile OSCAR omni undercarriage AGV, all of which will be on live display. The innovative concept of plannable autonomy, presented last year, was nominated for the IFOY AWARD 2023 in the software category.

Compact and Agile

LUCY (pictured) offers maximum driving flexibility even in narrow areas. The compact wheel-arm AGV can lift up to 500 kg. Thanks to its modular design, it can be individually adapted to safely transport a wide variety of load carriers. The compact vehicle thus covers many areas of application in in-plant logistics.

Strong Middle Class

The AMADEUS counter is a driverless counterbalanced truck from the established AMADEUS family with a lift height of up to 2.8 m and a load capacity of 1.2 t. It can navigate using all of the established methods and can be operated with various battery technologies and charging concepts. Its particularly small turning circle enables navigation even in narrow aisles. Visitors can experience it live for the first time at LogiMAT 2023.

Full Surface Mobility

Prizeworthy Innovation

The ARCOS vehicle software enables transport vehicles to act not only as AGVs but also as AMRs, thereby setting a benchmark in the world of intralogistics. This provides a transport system that can either use its autonomous functions or follow predefined tracks. For the first time, maximum flexibility and efficiency from the two worlds of AMR and AGV can be realized within just one transport system and in the same facility. This ground-breaking technology was nominated for the IFOY AWARD 2023.

You will find the booth and contact person of DS AUTOMOTION in hall 6, booth D05.

DS AUTOMOTION GmbH, headquartered in Linz, is a leading global supplier of automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robotics. The company has specialized in the development and production of automation solutions for a wide range of applications and industries since 1984 and is part of the SSI Schäfer Group. The experience gained from the development and production of over 8,000 customer-specific vehicles flows into the development of the company’s own products. More than 260 employees operate worldwide, which is reflected in an export rate of over 90%.

SSI Schaefer Completes DS Automotion Acquisition

Posted on 27 January, 202325 July, 2025 by David Priestman

The SSI Schaefer Group, a leading international provider of modular warehousing and logistics solutions employing some 10,000 people, and DS Automotion GmbH, a leading provider of mobile robotics (AGV – Automated Guided Vehicles and AMR – Autonomous Mobile Robots) headquartered in Linz, signed an agreement under which SSI Schaefer will acquire all shares in DS Automotion GmbH.

SSI Schaefer will thus expand the minority interest it has held since 2018 to reflect the growing importance of autonomous and mobile robotics and the AGV business in intralogistics. The acquisition of the remaining shares will take effect on March 1st, 2023 and is subject to approval by Austria’s Federal Competition Authority.

The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the shares. The management team led by Managing Directors Manfred Hummenberger and Wolfgang Hillinger will stay on board. DS Automotion will continue to operate independently with its well-established brand.

“The partnership with DS Automotion has been clearly intensified over the past two years, and the AGV business in intralogistics is growing very dynamically,” says Steffen Bersch, CEO of the SSI Schaefer Group. “Therefore, we are very pleased that the company, which is a leading player in the international market, will become a full member of the SSI Schaefer Group. Together, we will continue our growth story in robotics.”

The further development of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) is one of the key joint initiatives in the context of the general realignment of the robotics business. Characterized by simple commissioning and flexible applications, this product segment is becoming increasingly important and offers excellent growth opportunities. DS Automotion has developed standards such as Plannable Autonomy and Cooperative Navigation in this product segment, which help combine the benefits of flexibility with the reliability and availability of industrial systems. This transformation is based on DS Automotion’s high in-house technology expertise, which builds on 40 years of navigation and control know-how.

“DS Automotion has grown strongly and continuously over the past years, and by placing a stronger focus on technology and product standardization, we have greatly increased the quality and performance of the company,” says Manfred Hummenberger, CEO of DS Automotion. “To continue to keep pace with the rapid developments in this industry, now is the right time to take the cooperation with SSI Schaefer to a new level and to participate in the global growth opportunities of the robotics sector by joining forces.”

The acquisition of the remaining shares in DS Automotion represents an important milestone in expanding the technology leadership of the SSI Schaefer Group and will strengthen its competitiveness and innovation power in robotics and automation, which are pioneering for intralogistics.

At the same time, DS Automotion will continue to operate in the established fields such as production and healthcare logistics as well as assembly systems. These segments will continue to be further expanded with a focus on innovation and existing customer relationships will be strengthened.

Efficiency booster for small parts handling

NAVIOS — the holistic fleet manager

similar news

Subscribe