My 10 take aways from MODEX 2022

MODEX is over for this time and I want to share my reflections. With around 30000 visitors and more than 800 exhibitors, the general feeling was a lot of optimism and joy to be back in the game again! Exhibits are, despite the expense, a very powerful and efficient method for suppliers and customers within the material handling space to meet.

So here are my ten take aways:

1. The trade show has went from a forklift show to a robotics show, in just 5 years.

2. The majority of all AMRs are about to become the same commodity, just as the forklifts were/are. What does that tell us about the show 5 years from now?

3. Many of the AMR companies have shifted focus from being first movers on the technology with natural feature navigation to now highlight their software advantage, e.g. fleet management systems instead. The "find my niche" feeling is noticeable.

4. Partnerships and integrations, cooperation's and mergers & acquisitions. As the market becomes more mature there will be more of this. And you can tell there is a lot of things happening behind the scenes already. Many are trying to optimize their position in the consolidation that is ongoing and will intensify.

5. Supply chain issues for semiconductors mean long lead times. Around 1 year for new projects. Very challenging for a business where product life cycles are short.

6. Really no new cart and dolly suppliers but instead a few dropped off, e.g K-tec and Trilogiq.

7. Modular and flexible carts instead of welding is all of a sudden a norm. We don’t even have to tell the advantage, people realised that the constant change means equipment must be possible to design faster, adapt and configure while in use and be able to upgrade to new delivery methods in future (e.g. to transform into an AGV or an AMR).

8. AMR companies are high-tech and software driven but has very limited focus on the application. Dynamic A to B transport is a commodity that at least 50 companies at MODEX can offer but the presentation of material at point B very few has a solution for. The focus still evolves around standard pallet or tote transport and all other attempts to demonstrate something different is not a natural extension of the AMR concept (typically a welded solution).

9. Focus for robotics deployment is still warehouse and distribution. Manufacturing robotic solutions is more or less autonomous forklifts and tuggers. Here again, limited focus on adding value in the material presentation.

10. Automation solutions are advanced, expensive and requires significant commissioning and maintenance. Low automation with quick and easy deployment that was seen as commonly or outdated a couple of years ago is now instead something many ask and covet.

FlexQube presented two types of automation concept that helps manage the challenges with automation in manufacturing industry, as well as warehouse and distribution:

1. Our eQart Line concept can turn any material handling cart into a motorised AGV which can be deployed within the hour. And anyone can do it. No Wi-Fi required even. https://www.flexqube.com/eqart/

2. Our eQart Navigator concept allows the automisation of large fleets of carts and racks in different shape and size. With the decoupled robotics system where motorised carts can be powered and navigated with a standardised robot a favorable ROI can be achieved. https://www.flexqube.com/eqart-navigator-sign-up/

Contact me or anyone at FlexQube for more information.

Anders Fogelberg

CEO, The FlexQube Group

www.flexqube.com

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