New sensors keep track of the intralogistics fleet

New sensors keep track of the intralogistics fleet

MotionMiners presents sensor-based fleet analysis at LogiMAT

Dortmund, 06.02.2024 — With a new sensor-based fleet analysis, the start-up MotionMiners is now identifying inefficiencies in intralogistics fleets in industry, retail and logistics. The movement data of forklifts, high-speed trucks or route vehicles is measured using a set of up to three sensors per vehicle. A holistic AI-based analysis is then carried out via the web-based platform MotionMiners PROCESS INTELLIGENCE. After a successful pilot phase, MotionMiners is presenting the new product for the first time at the LogiMAT logistics trade fair in Stuttgart (19. to 21. March 2024, Hall 8, Booth C25).

Sascha Kaczmarek, co-founder of MotionMiners, identified the main topics that concern intralogistics when dealing with the fleet: “Reducing congestion-related waiting times, empty runs, downtime and information about fleet utilization is right at the top of the optimization wish list. But what is missing are reliable indicators of vehicle movements in order to increase efficiencies. In practice, this field is similar to a black box. ”

With a set of up to three sensors, MotionMiners now enables companies to build up their own well-founded basis of primary data. The basis is the “Vehicle Logger” sensor, which records the vehicle's movements. Two additional sensors on the fork can be used as an option. From now on, fork playtime/lift heights or empty/full runs can be measured.

“On average, the data is collected over a period of two to three weeks. For example, at our pilot customer, a forklift manufacturer, our sensors recorded a total of 1,650 hours of data on 24 vehicles within ten days,” reports Kaczmarek. In order to localize the fleet, additional Bluetooth transmitters (beacons) will be placed in the hall. For an area of 20,000 to 40,000 m² approximately 200 beacons are required. MotionMiners also uses GPS positioning for outdoor areas.

During the subsequent AI-supporting evaluation, the collected data is analyzed using the MotionMiners PROCESS INTELLIGENCE (software) analysis dashboard. Users can compile the key figures (KPI) that are relevant to them individually in the dashboard. An analysis is worthwhile starting at around five vehicles and is infinitely scalable upwards, confirms Kaczmarek and specifies: “We can also equip fleets with over 100 units and are therefore completely manufacturer-independent.” As the first optimization measures from the pilot projects, the fleet design was changed by replacing little-used or utilized vehicle types.

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Integration of operating data is possible

MotionMiners has also recently introduced operational data matching. This enabled users to independently combine the movement data collected by motion mining technology with their own operating data on the platform. In intralogistics, this primarily includes WMS, TMS or machine data, which is integrated via an interface. Kaczmarek mentions the advantages: “The process engineer benefits because he goes even deeper into the analysis. By correlating the data, process times and expenses can be broken down to customer, article or order groups. ”

The new matching tool can also be used for the already established MotionMiners product, which analyses the movements of people in intralogistics in terms of efficiency and ergonomics. MotionMiners now has over 200 completed projects in this area of sensor technology.

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About MotionMiners

Sascha Kaczmarek, Dr.-Ing. Sascha Feldhorst and Dr.-Ing. René Grzeszick founded MotionMiners GmbH together in October 2017. The company now employs around 60 people at its location in the Dortmund Technology Center. The company wants to provide the world's most flexible and comprehensive analysis toolbox for human activities. This is intended to continuously improve the daily work of analysts and the ergonomic working conditions of operational staff within the investigated processes.

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