July 16, 2024 - Continental Mobile Robots, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), has developed cutting-edge software solutions for Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR). This initiative focuses on managing the hybrid deployment of Continental’s scalable AMR navigation software stack, which supports multiple product lines in intralogistics and agriculture.
Scalable Software Solutions for Autonomous Mobile Robots with Amazon Web Services
Accelerating Innovation with AWS Prototyping and Cloud Engineering
Continental has crafted a robust robot autonomy software stack, collaborating with the AWS Prototyping and Cloud Engineering (PACE) team to accelerate innovation and deploy the first version of this solution. This partnership enables customers to manage deployments more effectively at scale throughout the robots' lifecycle. Key features include remote debugging and monitoring, as well as streamlined deployment qualification and onboarding processes, all facilitated by detailed simulations. The stack also provides on-demand compute for AI modules, ensuring safe navigation.
Leveraging Long-standing Relationships for Large-scale Adoption
The engagement between Continental and AWS leverages their long-standing relationship, combining Continental’s expertise in AMR technology with cloud capabilities of AWS to drive innovation and enhance the large-scale adoption of Mobile Robots. “Innovation-driven services from AWS will help us to deliver state-of-the-art Mobile Robots with outstanding safety and reliability. The platform has already been deployed successfully in initial customer use cases in the intralogistics environment. We look forward to bringing an industry-leading experience for deployment and operations of our Mobile Robots to even more of our customers,” said Rahul Singh, Global Head of AMR Software at Continental.
Amazon Web Services' Commitment to Industry Innovation
Adrian De Luca, Director of Cloud Acceleration for Asia, Pacific, and Japan at AWS emphasized the collaborative effort: "At AWS, we are adept at leveraging our industry expertise and purpose-built services, together with new and emerging technologies to help our customers experiment and push the boundaries of what's possible in their sector. Our collaborative work with Continental across various areas demonstrates that through the power of the cloud and AWS’ deep industry knowledge, we can help customers unlock the true potential of Autonomous Mobile Robots for their industries."
Enhanced Control and Monitoring of AMR Fleets
Continental's comprehensive AMR solutions include robot hardware, an advanced autonomy software stack, and AI-enabled fleet management software supported by strong partners. Utilizing AWS’ services, Continental Mobile Robots is developing a cloud-based platform for managing Mobile Robots, offering customers and partners the flexibility to customize solutions to their specific industry needs. This scalable platform, designed for successful AMR deployment and operations, is built by a global team of experts from Continental Mobile Robots on AWS services, with assistance and industry-specific guidance from AWS. By leveraging AWS’ serverless computing, analytics, machine learning, and advanced capabilities such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Continental aims to enhance its technological infrastructure.
Boosting Efficiency in Intralogistics and Agriculture
Part of Continental’s Automotive Group Sector, Continental Mobile Robots currently focuses on two product lines: intralogistics and agriculture. The intralogistics AMR is already deployed successfully at automotive and intralogistics sites across Europe, Asia, and North America. This solution addresses critical challenges in today’s industrial landscapes by improving material flow speed, reducing errors in repetitive tasks, and mitigating issues from labor shortages and operational costs. The agricultural solution, set to launch at the end of 2024, is based on a modular concept with an autonomous carrier vehicle for controlled-environment agriculture. It can be equipped with various implements from the partner network to perform tasks such as ultraviolet light (UVC) treatment, selective harvesting, and scouting activities.
Continental Mobile Robots and AWS's collaborative efforts are set to revolutionize the deployment and operation of AMRs, offering enhanced efficiency and reliability across diverse industries.
