"In the era of large distribution and online shopping giants, optimised logistics in storehouses have become a key factor for success. Having machines perform work in a more autonomous, flexible manner is any storehouse manager's dream, not just to increase performance, but also to reduce risks, since repetitive tasks performed by human staff are one of the main causes for loss of concentration and consequent accidents. Raul Bravo, a young Spanish Telecommunications engineer and entrepreneur, educated at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and then MBA at Engineering College in Paris, had this very clear in his mind when he decided to invest his know-how and resources into a new venture, Balyo, with his university colleague Thomas Duval. Together, they created a new “magic box” that can transform the logistics of medium-to-large storehouses and the life of its workforce, by turning a forklift truck into a real robot.
The principle is simple: their MoveBOX is a kit composed of hardware and software, comprising a laser-based localisation unit, representing the “eyes” of the robot, a processing unit which is its “brain”, and a control unit which can operate directly on the controls of the forklift truck, which becomes its “arms and legs”. The key improvements with respect to other systems adopted in warehouse logistics is that the forklifts can move freely and autonomously, as they have their own sensors to “draw a map” of the storehouse, detect obstacles, find alternative routes. No rails or pre-determined routes, and no need to install external localisation references inside the warehouse, such as special lights or cables, to guide the forklift trucks to their destination. The forklift truck can so be programmed from distance through a simple graphical interface, to perform repetitive tasks such as to locate and move items according to orders, finding the best route autonomously, with the lowest possible effort in terms of energy. If a human member of staff gets on it, the forklift would switch to manual mode straight away. Like a well-educated dog would do with his master.
The added value is that Bravo's MoveBOX can be easily integrated with the warehouse company's information systems, for example, those handling voice commands, or the database with task orders. It therefore becomes an “appendix” to whatever the company already employs in terms of task management system, to seamlessly handle the most annoying and repetitive part: moving stuff around. It is no surprise that Bravo's product already succeeded to break into into large companies, with a constant growth of demand in France and abroad. Kraft, Carrefour and DHL are only some of his current clients, and Delhaize, a major international food retailer, one of his recent additions.
As Bravo proudly says, this system drastically reduces the error rate – 97% on certain tasks over three years according to a simulation. Of course, it also reduces the number of human staff thanks to the improved level of automation. However, the lucky workers to keep their job will certainly enjoy it more."
