OW Robotics (OWR) has launched a new facility to demonstrate its robotics solutions to businesses looking to transform their warehouse, logistics and manufacturing operations through automation.
Based at OWR’s Lincoln headquarters, the Robotics Demonstration Centre is said to be a first in Europe. It has been designed to allow UK businesses to replicate their processes within a so-called ‘sandbox environment’, enabling first-hand experience and insight into how a tailored automated robotics solution would impact their business.
The facility has a fully functioning goods-to-person robotics grid including pick stations and multiple rack combinations so that customers can see an estimation of what their solution will look like alongside a demonstration of OWR’s warehouse management system and robot control systems, which guide the robots. The second floor is home to an A-to-B robotics grid to demonstrate the flexibility and speed in which the robots operate.
Joe Daft, head of robotics at OWR, said the company has seen a “real upturn” in interest in tailored automation and robotics solutions for logistic purposes, as businesses recognise the importance of being more agile and flexible to meet changing customer demands.
“There’s no doubt that the impact of Covid-19 on buying habits has tested the reliability and resolve of many businesses’ operations, questioning their speed and adaptability when demand spikes or shifts,” said Daft. “This has only driven an already growing wave of businesses looking to automation and robotics.
“Gone are the days of the word ‘robotics’ meaning an investment of tens of millions of pounds in order to get a solution that is right for them. That said, it’s still a significant investment and for most business leaders, although exciting and game changing, it’s unfamiliar. That’s why this demonstration centre is so important.”
Earlier this year OWR announced a partnership with Chinese robotics manufacturer, Hikrobot, to make robotic automation more accessible for UK businesses. Since the launch, Greg Downey, robotics business consultant at OWR, said the company has “already had really positive feedback”.
“So far visitors have found it to be an incredible experience especially the fact they can see one of their own entire workflows from start to finish, carried out by robots,” said Downey. “They are also really impressed with the way we work with them before the demonstration day to understand their product make-up and general throughput figures, so we can offer as close to a real experience as possible.”
