Wandelbots: Expansion of the automation platform with NOVA Cloud

NOVA Cloud adds a control and optimization layer to the NOVA OS operating system, which was previously used locally. This creates a central platform that can network, simulate and coordinate different robotic systems – regardless of the manufacturer. In addition to programming individual robot applications, entire process chains can now be mapped, monitored and gradually optimized – regardless of location and in real time.

The focus is on end-to-end control: from planning and virtual commissioning to deployment and ongoing operation on the store floor. This enables companies to deploy their robot fleets more flexibly, reprogram them more quickly and operate them more efficiently.

Companies such as Schaeffler, SmartRay and SHL are already using Wandelbots to accelerate automation processes, reduce costs and establish flexible production structures. The practical user examples will be demonstrated live at the trade fair from 24 to 27 June.

The extended automation platform from Wandelbots consists of three modules that together enable end-to-end planning, implementation and control of robot-supported processes:

• NOVA Cloud: the central control level for the intelligent planning, optimization and monitoring of global production processes. It enables the management of digital twins, AI-supported analyses and standardizable workflows – while at the same time taking site-specific requirements into account.
• Developer Portal: a modern development environment for creating, simulating and providing individual automation solutions. By connecting to a growing partner ecosystem – for example through the integration of NVIDIA Omniverse – the portal offers an open infrastructure for collaborative development and rapid iteration.
• NOVA OS: the manufacturer-independent operating system for industrial automation. It controls robots and peripheral devices in real time and ensures that simulated processes can be transferred directly into running operation without additional programming effort. This minimizes system disruptions and avoids dependence on proprietary solutions.

“There is no way around holistic automation,” says Christian Piechnick, co-founder and CEO of Wandelbots. “Industrial companies need to comprehensively automate their processes in order to keep up with the pressure on costs, efficiency and innovation. With our software-centric approach, automation can be designed efficiently, cost-effectively and sustainably. In this way, Wandelbots makes a significant contribution to the competitiveness of industry and to securing the business location.” 

Schaeffler: From simulation to reality 

At Automatica, visitors can experience how Schaeffler seamlessly combines simulation and real store floor use with Wandelbots, transforming production into a scalable, digitalized process. At its heart is the NOVA Operating System, which can be used to virtually simulate, validate and optimize the behavior of robots. This provides robot control for the entire automation life cycle, from virtual planning to operation in series production. The physical execution of the virtually simulated workflows takes place without reprogramming, overcoming the previous discrepancy between simulation and reality. 

This enables:

• Faster deployment of robot workflows
• Lower development costs and integration time
• Higher first-time-right rates and reduced trial-and-error cycles
• Improved robot uptime due to fewer runtime integration issues
• Enterprise-wide digital factory model with scalable automation logic 

SmartRay: AI system for path planning 

The Wandelbots stand also presents an AI-based path planning solution for SmartRay, which is integrated into a robot-assisted workflow for weld seam inspection. For this, Grid Dynamics has developed a customized app using the Wandelbots Developer Portal and Wandelbots NOVA operating system. With the app, SmartRay can automatically generate executable robot paths for weld inspection from CAD files – without manual programming.

This means:

• Less effort in robot programming and simulation
• From CAD import to inspection-ready robot path in minutes
• Immediate ROI validation through automated feasibility studies
• Less rework and warranty costs through more accurate defect detection
• Scalable through application reuse and AI

SHL: Intelligent automation systems 

System integrators like SHL must deliver customized automation solutions ever faster, more flexibly and under tighter cost and resource constraints. With more than 3,500 grinding, deburring and polishing robots installed, SHL is one of the world’s leading suppliers of surface treatment automation. By integrating the Wandelbots software platform, SHL is expanding its offering from mechanical quality to software-driven, intelligent automation systems that meet flexible manufacturing requirements. 

The goals:

• 30 to 50% less time to productivity for new workpieces
• Up to 40% less changeover time 
• Higher plant utilization through multiple use of robot systems
• Up to 25% cost savings in integration and fine-tuning
• Higher productivity and uptime through continuous software optimization 

Wandelbots at Automatica  

The use cases can be experienced live at the Munich trade fair in hall B6, stand 308. They show: With the holistic software platform from Wandelbots, manufacturing companies can automate processes faster, optimize them more intelligently and scale them more reliably. This is because industrial robots become software-defined systems that improve themselves autonomously. In addition to user examples, live demonstrations will showcase the comprehensive Wandelbots platform and integrations with NVIDIA and Microsoft.  

About Wandelbots

Wandelbots is a DeepTech company based in Dresden and Chicago that is radically rethinking industrial automation, especially in logistics and production. With its disruptive, software-centric approach, Wandelbots is driving the transformation of industry. It enables companies to transform industrial robots into software-defined, continuously optimizing systems with an end-to-end platform consisting of the NOVA Cloud, the NOVA OS operating system and the Developer Portal.

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Further links

👉 www.wandelbots.com  
👉 Information about NOVA Cloud 

Photo: Wandelbots