Visualization of the OHTider Auto system that has won the L4MS competition for internal factory logistics systems
The developers of robotics systems operating in Lithuania outperformed many European Union countries with their ambitions. In the open call initiated by Digital Innovation Hubs² (DIH²) and dedicated to Technology Transfer Projects (TTP), Lithuanian consortia offered 6 unique solutions and finished third in Europe in terms of the number of applications.
After the DIH² application round, Lithuanians are among the leaders in Europe
The selection, which began in the fall of 2019 finished with 6 Lithuanian ideas (out of 19 individual applications submitted to the 1st round in early Autumn) entering the last stage of the 1st Open Call in which they will compete with teams from across Europe. The main aim is to create solutions that do not yet exist in the market, develop new technologies, conduct practical experiments and innovate the industry. 96 teams from across the EU will compete for the total fund of 4 million managed by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme. Out of these, 13 best will be granted with up to 248,000 euros worth of equity-free financing. Chances of winning and getting the funding might be quite good – robot and automation system developers in Lithuania are experienced and their ideas have already won similar contests.
Solution will grow into a new robotics startup
In the competition initiated by L4MS (Logistics for Manufacturing SMEs), dedicated to internal factory logistics automation, Lithuanian solution has won last year. UAB Factobotics, a member of the Lithuanian Robotics Association, was recognised as the best of all applications from European companies. A unique team, together with a textile company UAB Devold, will develop an internal logistics system OHTider at the Norwegian textile factory in Panevezys. Devold productivity growth was limited by the traditional raw material logistics systems – wooden carts used in the sewing department. The new system is unique in that, instead of the floor-driving autonomous mobile robots, logistics will be performed over sewing-operators’ heads, not only saving floor space, but also optimally controlling the path of raw materials and work in progress between different sewing operations.
The initial OHTider solution will be rolled out at the Devold factory this year. The joint start-up of Lithuanian and Norwegian companies will offer this unique internal logistics system to companies in the sewing, auto component assembly and other industries worldwide.
Visualization of the OHTider Auto solution developed by “Factobotics”
Lithuanian Robotics Association is the main partner of DIH² project in Lithuania
The Lithuanian Robotics Association, one of the main partners of the Digital Innovation Hubs² (DIH²) project in Europe, coordinates projects in which Lithuanian developers compete for funding with their ambitious ideas. Daumantas Simėnas, leader of the LRA, says that our country’s activity is noticeable and appreciated by a wide network of partners across Europe: “Created during the DIH² project, a digital audit tool that is working on RAMP (Robotics and automation marketplace), has already been used in more than a hundred small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the EU. One of the aims of the project is to carry out at least 260 audits in European SMEs. The data collected during audits will be aggregated and anonymised. On the basis of these data, LRA, together with the project partners, will make recommendations to the European Commission on the development of industrial digitization policies across the European Union. “
Presentation of the DIH² at the Lithuanian Robotics Association
For further information please contact:
Augustas Alekna, LRA communications manager
augustas@ltrobotics.eu; +370 610 16087
