Kassow Robots, Joytek, Bosch Rexroth and Reply showcase the future of automated kitting with AMR cobots

Bosch Rexroth, Kassow Robots, Joytek and Reply collaborated to develop an integrated, intelligent system for automated kitting at an automotive industry deployment.

The system combines a Joytek AMR with Kassow Robots' seven-axis cobots to pick and organize components for production.

The companies said that they designed a platform combining an AMR equipped with two cobot arms to automate kitting operations in automotive manufacturing, bringing together mobile material handling, robotic manipulation and integrated control software.

Integrating mobility and manipulation

The companies said their approach to this deployment is intended to address the challenges of kitting operations, where components of different shapes, sizes and configurations must be delivered to the appropriate production areas. The system uses a unified control architecture to coordinate the AMR's navigation, environmental perception and robotic handling functions.

Joytek developed the AMR, which uses Bosch Rexroth's ROKIT Navigator for navigation and localization. The companies said that the technology enables the mobile robot to navigate industrial environments, respond to obstacles and adjust its routes as production conditions change.

Mounted on the mobile platform are Kassow Robots’ KR1018 seven-axis cobots. Kassow Robots said that the additional axis provides greater maneuverability than conventional six-axis robot arms, allowing the cobots to reach around obstacles and access confined workspaces.

The system also incorporates Bosch Rexroth's ctrlX AUTOMATION platform and a software infrastructure developed by Reply based on ROS.

The companies said that the ROS-based software manages perception, motion planning and robotic handling, while a communication gateway connects the ROS environment with the industrial control system, enabling more direct control of the cobots' movements and coordination with the AMR.

By bringing these capabilities together, the companies said that the system is designed to handle the movement and organization of components without relying on disconnected transport and handling processes.

Flexible automation for changing production requirements

Although the application was developed for automotive manufacturing, the companies said its modular architecture could be adapted for other industries with similar material-handling requirements, including food and beverage, packaging and pharmaceutical production.

The companies said that automotive manufacturing presents challenges for kitting operations because production requirements can vary, with different component sizes, shapes and handling requirements. Specifically, manual picking and kit assembly can introduce errors and limit the ability to respond quickly to changes in production layouts or product configurations.

Kassow Robots said the integrated system is designed to reduce operating cycle times and picking errors while allowing manufacturers to reconfigure the automation for different product variants and production environments.

The platform also incorporates safety features, including laser sensors for obstacle detection, dynamic speed limits and continuous operational monitoring.

Click here to read more about the deployment.