'There is a mismatch between what companies want and what makes sense'

Patrick Verkerk, founder and owner of RoboTobor and a strategic advisor on robotization, sees the future of the logistics sector becoming increasingly dependent on advanced technologies. Still, he cautions the industry against ill-considered decisions. "One of the biggest challenges in the robotization of logistics processes is the lack of knowledge. Especially within SMEs." 

According to Verkerk, robotization in the logistics sector has increased significantly in recent years mainly because of the shortage of personnel and the need to work more efficiently. "Ten years ago, a closing business case was still the main driver for investing in robotization," Verkerk explains. "Today, the main reasons are mainly the labor shortage and the complexity of logistics processes."

Verkerk has extensive experience in various industries, from manufacturing to the food industry. He points out that robotization is no longer just about cost savings, but also about ensuring continuity in operations. "It is no longer just about Return on Investment (ROI); companies are now also looking for solutions to keep their business operational despite staff shortages."

Knowledge

One of the biggest challenges in the robotization of logistics processes is the lack of knowledge within companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). "Robotization is multidisciplinary," Verkerk emphasizes. "It includes mechanics, electronics, software and more. Large companies often have in-house robot specialists, but it's a lot harder for smaller companies."

Verkerk also notes that there is sometimes a mismatch between what companies want to automate and what actually makes sense to automate. "Companies sometimes want to start with a very difficult process, when they would be better off starting simple. My job is to help them prioritize and make them aware of what works and what doesn't."

Plug&Play Marketing

Verkerk also criticizes what he himself calls "Plug & Play Marketing," especially around Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR). "In the last five years, the market has changed considerably with the rise of AMRs," he explains. "AMRs are often promoted as flexible, easily integrated into every conceivable layout that can autonomously navigate and avoid obstacles. However, the reality is much more complex. The autonomy of AMRs creates poor predictability, is more difficult to statically compute and simulate, and the need to meet safety requirements sometimes significantly reduces flexibility." According to Verkerk, the performance of these robots is often overestimated, leading to unrealistic expectations among companies investing in these technologies.

In addition, Verkerk makes a clear distinction between AMRs and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). He explains that AGVs are traditionally developed by companies with deep integration expertise, while AMR manufacturers focus primarily on product development and sales, with integration often outsourced to third parties. "This outsourcing leads to a lack of experience and expertise in intralogistics among the parties doing the implementation," said Verkerk. "The so-called Plug & Play approach does not do justice to the complexity of integrating AMRs and AGVs into existing logistics systems, which can lead to significant bottlenecks and inefficiencies."

The LMTRF method.

To better guide companies in their robotization projects, Verkerk developed the LMTRF method, which stands for Layout, Material Flow, Technology, Routing and Formula. This method helps companies analyze their logistics processes in a structured way and implement the right robotic solutions. "The key is to first properly understand what you want to achieve with robotization before proceeding with purchase and implementation," Verkerk said.

Verkerk emphasizes that robotization is customization and standard solutions are often not enough. "Every company has unique processes and challenges. The success of robotization depends on how well the solution is tailored to the company's specific needs," he says. "It is essential to ask the right questions from the beginning and not be afraid to say: this doesn't work."

Verkerk does expect the role of robotics in logistics to only grow, especially with the emergence of technologies such as AI and 3D mapping. "We are already seeing robots getting better and better at recognizing objects and adapting their behavior based on their environment. This will further improve the safety and efficiency of logistics processes." Still, he cautions that the technology is not yet perfect. "The performance of autonomous mobile robots is often not yet lived up to. They encounter practical problems, such as obstacles on their route, which current AMR technology in some layouts cannot yet deal with properly."

Right choices

With RoboTobor, Verkerk intends to continue his efforts in the coming years - essential for the sector - to help companies make the right choices in the field of robotization. With his experience and the LMTRF method, he offers companies a practical approach to optimize their logistics processes. Although the challenges are great, Verkerk sees great potential in the further development of robotization in the logistics sector. "Robotization is not an end in itself, but a means to make your business processes better and more efficient," concludes Verkerk. "It is important to remain realistic and analyze well what does and does not work for your specific situation."