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Although the autonomous mobile robots (AGV/AMR) used by Noovelia are capable of going from point A to point B, thanks to sensors installed at their places of intervention, their software was not previously programmed to receive orders from operators in factories and it is on this point that the robotics expert called on IT Link, in order to establish the link between the operators and the robot control software, for an optimization of their use.
IT Link has developed a flutter web interface for 8 operator stations that must be integrated into an existing application on a tablet, already deployed in the factory. This new interface allows operators to send out their needs and to indicate to the robot the route to be taken, by specifying the number of the arrival stations. An API, developed by IT Link in .net core, ensures communication between the web interface and the robot control software while filling in the PostgreSQL database. This API will also allow other software (for example logistics software) to place orders.
A second interface for administrators, usable from a computer, has also been developed so that they can define the automatic missions for moving robots, in order to optimize their use and make them go to the parking area when they do not have a mission.
In addition, a third-party fleet management software determines the nearest robot with a sufficient battery level to intervene at each request, and also manages the control and the priorities of passage of robots that may encounter each other. Orders are received by a communication component (WebAPI) developed by IT Link, which makes it possible to prioritize missions according to their degree of urgency and importance, and to send mission orders.
If Noovelia's request is initially based on a specific request from an industrial customer who ordered eight robots and used 45 stations, the idea is to have a repeatable solution for all customers with the same need.
” IT Link has established itself as a natural partner, its expertise being complementary to ours to ensure the control of robots. Our development teams got along perfectly, with IT Link bringing good ideas, to the point that our working methods have evolved. ”, testifies Mathieu Lemieux, project manager at Noovelia.
”Our customers appreciate the ease of use of the interface developed by IT Link to call vehicles as well as the visibility offered on all current requests and the possibility of managing several robots at the same time. ”, adds Martin Branchaud, Procurement Director at Noovelia.
The expertise of IT Link allows Noovelia to improve the operational efficiency of its customers.
A team of 10 people worked on this project: 1 Proxy product owner, 1 UXUI, 1 back-end developer, 2 front-end developers, 2 testers, 2 project coordinators and 1 tech lead to supervise front-end developers.
”We are delighted with this partnership with Noovelia, which uses our expertise in embedded and connected technologies to serve Industry 4.0. We developed solid skills in this field, which allowed us to make a proposal in 8 days, after a few exchanges, to respect Noovelia's tight schedule.”, welcomes Éric Guillard, CEO of the IT Link Group. ” Fifteen days later, we started developing, and three months later, we carried out the first tests. The solution was delivered in early 2024. This project shows that we are capable of being reactive and of mobilizing a dozen people in this field of expertise that we master perfectly and which meets one of the group's 6 challenges: imagining the industries of the future. ”
About Noovelia
Noovelia offers innovative, reliable, flexible and safe solutions, including a complete range of autonomous mobile robots (AGV/AMR) and a real-time location system. For more than 20 years, Canadian Noovelia has been designing and integrating turnkey solutions that meet the needs of various markets. Its philosophy is based on the modularity, adaptability and interoperability of systems.
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