Past opportunity
Open Fleet Management for Autonomous Intralogistics with Scania
Industry
Sustainable Transport Systems
Revenue
2020
€12B
Employees
2020
50,000
Connected vehicles
2020
485k+
About
At Scania, we see a growing need to connect and manage indoor robots of different brands and types from a single system to optimise indoor material movement and flow of warehouse logistics. Therefore, we are looking for intelligent fleet management solutions that can control indoor robots, such as AGVs, AMRs and forklifts from different brands, and optimise the overall efficiency of material movement inside our production facilities.
Opportunity overview
Currently, internal Scania logistics are mainly managed with manually-driven vehicles and the planning for the transports is carried out based on internal solution from Scania. At the same time, the technological development for autonomous vehicles and systems is rapid and the solution space is maturing quickly, building overall momentum for the autonomous industry and more sophisticated solutions. Scania has been developing its industry-leading production system over the course of 100+ years and wants to be in the forefront of the industry development.
We at Scania are seeing the rapid transformation towards the use of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) in many of our warehouses and production sites globally. However we are encountering the challenge that autonomous vehicles and robots, such as AGVs, AMRs, and forklifts, from different brands do not talk to each other and they cannot be controlled from a single source. AGVs are currently controlled through their brand specific interface-software. This decreases the overall indoor material movement efficiency.
We envision an open fleet management system that is capable of controlling robot and vehicle fleets of multiple brands and vehicle types in mostly indoor environments like factories and warehouses where several vehicles are needed for logistics. We are looking for a software with a high level of usability, enabling a seamless interoperability with different users in our production facilities. In the long term, the software solution would also optimize the routing of fleets.
Overall, Scania is interested in software-based solutions that can improve the whole logistics flow, including both autonomous vehicles, robots, and humans. A typical use case would be a Scania factory or warehouse, where a fleet of several (>10) mixed vehicles is needed. Ultimately, the potential technologies need to be adapted to Scania’s needs and fit into the Scania Production System. Thus, data integration capabilities into Scania’s internal systems is considered as a benefit.
Your opportunity with Scania
Scania’s production takes place in Europe and Latin America with 8 facilities for global interchange of both components and complete vehicles. In addition, Scania has 5 regional product centres in Africa, Asia and Eurasia. In total, Scania delivered more than 70 thousand vehicles in 2020, corresponding to significant levels of production and material flows. The solution could first be piloted in a piloting facility or a testing environment separated from the production. If a suitable open fleet management solution is found, Scania is looking for collaboration and rollouts on a global level and there is an opportunity of scaling the technology into Scania’s production sites globally. The most interesting business model for Scania would be either to rent or license the technology from the suitable solution provider. In addition, Scania can offer experts from the areas of automation, software development and logistics to support the pilot case.
Focus Areas
Examples of solutions we’re interested in
Multibrand operability
We are looking for solutions that can improve the whole logistics flow of indoor robots, such as AGVs, AMRs and forklifts. As Scania is utilizing robotics from different brands, compatibility with different types of robotics and brands in a single system is a key success factor in this business opportunity.
Traffic control
The envisioned solution allows Scania to control its internal logistics traffic, as well as monitor the usability and the status of the vehicles. In addition, the solution can collect data from all transports and offers visual dashboards to support the “control tower” and planning.
Usability
Scania’s warehouse logistics environment will be a mix of autonomous vehicles, humans, and robots. Thus, we look for a solution that is capable of managing a smooth interoperability with humans and manually operated vehicles.
Route optimization (long term)
We envision a solution that is not only able to control the robotic fleets but can also optimize the routings for accurate and efficient delivery of materials. These capabilities would preferably come in a combination as Scania is looking to minimize the different softwares in use.
This opportunity is no longer accepting submissions
Check out any potential
