The automotive components manufacturer Valeo has transformed its truck loading and unloading activities with Slip Robotics. In its warehouse in Seymour, Indiana, Slip Robotics implemented twenty-six autonomous SlipBot robots, significantly reducing operational time. Valeo's challenge was to increase the speed of loading and unloading without disrupting existing processes. Analysis of the supply chain revealed that these operations were a major bottleneck, leading to wasted time and resources. Traditional methods, such as using forklifts, were no longer adequate to meet the demands of a growing business.
Slip Robotics stepped in with its autonomous SlipBot robots, which were integrated directly at the end of Valeo's production lines, allowing for the direct loading of finished products onto trailers. The result was a sixfold reduction in loading and unloading times compared to the traditional method. "It used to take thirty minutes to load or unload a trailer using forklifts, and now it only takes five minutes. This productivity increase allows us to manage up to six transport operations in the same time and unlock new material flows," said Quinn Saevre, Supply Chain CIM Manager at Valeo.
In addition to improving efficiency, Valeo reported that the introduction of SlipBots enhanced operational safety. With fewer product movements and less forklift traffic near loading bays, Valeo's operations became safer and more efficient. Furthermore, the SlipBots eliminated the need for forklifts to enter trailers, further reducing the risk of accidents.
Slip Robotics also offered a high level of simplicity during the implementation and training phases. "SlipBots can be installed in any facility without requiring IT integration, Wi-Fi, or modifications to loading bays or trailers; that is why we were able to implement them at Valeo in just a few days," explained Mason Cole, Sales Manager at Slip Robotics. The ease of installation and straightforward training allowed the Valeo team to start using SlipBots immediately, delivering results within the first week of operation.
Slip Robotics' SlipBots are autonomous robots designed specifically to automate pallet loading and unloading operations in industrial vehicles. Equipped with advanced sensors and an autonomous navigation system, they move precisely through production and loading areas. With an AI-based autonomous guidance system, SlipBots can detect obstacles, plan routes, and coordinate with other equipment in the warehouse.
Built with a robust mobile platform, SlipBots are capable of transporting pallets and other loads directly from production lines to trucks. Their lifting capacity is engineered to handle significant weights while ensuring stability and safety during movement. The automatic load handling system allows SlipBots to hook and release pallets without human intervention, reducing the need for manual handling and enhancing overall safety.
Thanks to their advanced sensors, SlipBots can accurately position themselves inside trailers, ensuring efficient and smooth loading and unloading. They are also designed to work in synergy with human staff, equipped with safety sensors that detect the presence of nearby operators and adjust their behavior accordingly, stopping when necessary to avoid collisions.
