| 2017-03-23 www.MetraLabs.com 1| 2017-03-23 www.MetraLabs.com 1MetraLabs GmbH | Am Vogelherd 22| D-98693 Ilmenau, Germany | www.metralabs.com
The Use Of Robotics In Retail
Enviroments
Robert Arenknecht
MetraLabs GmbH
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Robots?
MetraLabs - history and experience
Robots in retail enviroments
TORY
Review
Q & A
Agenda
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What are Robots?
MetraLabs - robots that inspire.
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What are Robots?
MetraLabs - robots that inspire.
• Mobile Platforms• Autonomous driving
• Mapping• Localization• Navigation
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Robots in Retail Enviroments
MetraLabs - robots that inspire.
Why Robots?
Om
ni-C
ha
nn
el
Retail
Web
Mobile
Social Media
Robots are the key for a successful Omni-Channel strategy
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About MetraLabs GmbH, Germany
Development and manufacturing of autonomous mobile robots for retail, industry, health care and research institutions
>15 years of experience
▪ Founded in 2001▪ Experts in autonomous mobile robot
technologies and robot interaction
MetraLabs - robots that inspire.
High quality service
▪ Made in Germany▪ Personal contact and support
International customer base
▪ >250 robots deployed worldwide▪ Our robots are deployed in: EU, USA,
Canada, Russia, China, Brazil, UAE etc.
Complete autonomous driving
▪ >45’000 miles driving experience▪ Approved for safe, unattended use in
public environments (CE/TÜV)
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About MetraLabs GmbH, Germany
Development and manufacturing of autonomous mobile robots for retail, industry, health care and research institutions
Hardware Development
• Design and Construction
• Assembling
• Integration
• Motor Control Unit
• RFID antennas
• Chargingstation
• Custom setups
MetraLabs - robots that inspire.
Software Development
• Navigation
• Obstacle avoidence
• Mapping
• Localization
• Applications
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MetraLabs’ mobile robot applications
Qu
elle
: O
rtn
er
Applications
Guidance
Cleanroom
Transportation
Museum
Inventory
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Robots in Retail Enviroments
MetraLabs - robots that inspire.
Customer InteractionStore Management Store Maintenance
• Information
• Navigation
• Kiosk
• Planogram
• Layout
• Stock
• Cleaning
• Inventory
• Transportation
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Customer Interaction
MetraLabs - robots that inspire.
Use-Cases▪ Information about Products, Deals, etc▪ Guidance to department, products▪ Start point of customer service
Robot-Features▪ Autonomous driving▪ Touchscreen - Store applications, Service, Kiosk
Benefit of robots▪ Multimedia customer interaction▪ Same quality of service 24/7▪ Data collection
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Store Maintenance
MetraLabs - robots that inspire.
Use-Cases▪ Planogram▪ Store Layout▪ Sales floor stock▪ Cleaning▪ Security
Robot-Features▪ Autonomous driving▪ Cameras, Vaccum Cleaner, RFID
Benefit of robot▪ Consistent Data collection▪ Automatic processes over night▪ Relief of store associates
Qu
elle
: O
rtn
er
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Store Management
MetraLabs - robots that inspire.
Use-Cases▪ Transportation▪ Inventory
Robot-Features▪ Autonomous driving▪ RFID
Benefit of robot▪ Standard data collection, consistent history▪ Automatic processes over night▪ Relief of store associates▪ Information can be used for store design, customer interaction robots
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TORY: Robot for RFID-stocktaking in retail
TORY
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TORY: Robot for RFID-stocktaking in retail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGTkL_gacvU
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Design
Unique shape to maximize maneuverability and RFID read performance
Sleek modern design to minimize footprint and maximize mobility
Platform
Based on a modular, compact and durable mobile platform
Industrial grade components (high reliability, low maintenance)
Arranged for addition of extra equipment (modularity)
Power Supply
• High capacity state of the art Li-battery:
• Up to 18 hours operation time with ca. 4 h recharge time
• Autonomous re-charging after every stock-counting cycle
TORY features – robot hardware
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Computer
High performance “PC on wheels” (i7 64 bit CPU, SSD, OS: Linux)
Embedded computer uses rugged, standardized components
IoT: Standardized interconnectivity (CAN, USB, Wi-Fi, ….)
Sensors
Intelligent multi-sensor systems for autonomous navigation
High quality, industrial grade SICK Laser-range-finders
Infrared sensors for detection of small obstacles on floor
Odometry sensors for precise motion tracking of TORY
TORY features – robot hardware
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TORY features - software
Autonomous driving
Localization
Simultaneous path planning
Dynamic obstacle avoidance
Safe around people
Autonomous mapping
Easy to use mapping tool
Automatic map updates without user input
User interface
Easy to use interface for setting up and controlling the robot
Internet connectivity for communication with other services (IoT)
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Acquisition Range
High scanning range of >20 ft. in radius &>10 ft. in height
TORY features - RFID
RFID Equipment
Reading speed
Up to >300 tags/s
Localization
Position of tag estimate within ca. 3 ft.
Inventory quality
Typ. >99 % read accuracy
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Trial environments (2014 – 2015):
(excerpt, * data as disclosed by retailers)
User trials at several fashion retails:
▪ Conducted user trials with half a dozen retailers
▪ Evaluate viability of robots as replacement for handheld inventory
▪ Requested tag capture accuracy: ≥ 98.5 %
Stock-taking: Results of field trials
Store Shelf types Size Time Read rate
Store A Mostly low racks 25’000 ft² ~2h 30m 99.0% (overall)
Store B Tall metal shelves 40’000 ft² ~6h 15m > 99%
Store C Evenly mixed 20’000 ft² ~3h > 98.5 % *
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Insight #1: Excellent read performance
▪ Single run read accuracy matches or exceeds handheld accuracy
▪ Several times higher read rate (20’000 to more than 60’000 tags/h)
▪ Provides accurate localization (up to 3 ft.) of individual products
Insight #2: Easy operational integration
▪ Quick and easy set-up procedure and fully unattended operation
▪ Requirements for daily operation set by retailers were fully met
Insight #3: Suitable fully autonomous navigation
▪ Fast enough to perform a full nightly inventory even in large stores
▪ Changes to environment (moved racks etc.) can be dealt with
Stock-taking: Insights of field trials
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PROVEN TORY Technology:▪ In daily usage since December 2015 at ADLER
Modemärkte AG, a fashion retail chain in Germany
▪ ADLER is fully satisfied with application of TORY:
▪ Fully autonomously stock-taking every night
▪ Typical accuracy >99%, full store coverage
▪ Reading speed of 5’000 to 20’000 ft²/ h
▪ Seamless data-integration to warehouse management server by Wi-Fi
▪ Usage of handheld readers revealed unnecessary (a few still used for specific inventory processes)
▪ Minimal support required by sales associate
TORY in daily use since 2015
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Workflow – Omnichannel Integration
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Benfit of Robots
• Connecting an off-and online experienceCustomer
• Live stock updates for online platforms
• BOPUS
• PlanogramStore
• (Automatic) data collection
• optimizing processesBusiness
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The End
Thank you!