EffiBOT is automating SEAT

Spanish car maker SEAT has deployed two autonomous, collaborative mobile robots from French company Effidence to transport around its Martorell factory.

SEAT is the first car manufacturer in Spain to use EffiBOTs, which aim to adapt to production processes and manage resources and communication between the different areas of the company more efficiently.

Herbert Steiner, vice president for production and logistics, says: "Autonomous mobile robots place us at the forefront of innovation in the automotive sector. They're also a clear example of how robots can collaborate with employees to make their work easier. Their incorporation contributes to driving Industry 4.0 and making us more efficient, flexible, agile and competitive."

So far, two EffiBOTs are being used in an experimental phase and SEAT could expand the number of these robots in the future. Unlike some automated guided vehicles (AGVs), which require a track to function properly, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) such as EffiBOT can recognise their surroundings to map their route to a defined destination and avoid obstacles along the way.

In addition to the EffiBOTs, the plant currently has around 20 collaborative robots in the assembly areas, such as the "cobots" that are responsible for applying the lettering to the Ibiza and Arona models.