Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - Operating autonomous cleaning robots at scale with AWS IoT (ROB203)

Summary

• The session covered the evolution of robotics, particularly in the context of cloud robotics with AWS.
• The speaker, a solutions architect at AWS, and Leonard, VP of IT and Digital Transformation at Karcher, discussed the challenges and opportunities in robotics.
• Karcher's history and its commitment to sustainability and innovation were highlighted.
• The challenges in robotics include sensor data integration, real-time and batch data processing, fleet management, and developing next-gen robots using machine learning.
• Opportunities in robotics can drive transformation across various industries, including logistics, construction, and oil and gas.
• The evolution from first-generation robotics to current-generation collaborative robots was discussed.
• Karcher's journey with AWS began in 2012, focusing on e-commerce and IoT for professional machines.
• Karcher's cloud-first strategy in 2016 led to the migration of on-premise systems to AWS.
• The company is migrating SAP systems to AWS and plans to operate a factory in Vietnam without local servers.
• Karcher re-entered the connected consumer products market in 2018, leveraging AWS IoT for scalable infrastructure.
• The session introduced KiraB50, Karcher's fully autonomous scrubber dryer, showcasing its capabilities and integration with AWS services.
• The discussion included insights on component right-sizing, predictive maintenance, firmware updates, and after-point-of-sale visibility.
• The session concluded with an open discussion and an invitation to see KiraB50 in action outside the venue.

Insights

• Karcher has a long history of innovation and sustainability, which is now being extended into the realm of cloud robotics.
• The integration of AWS IoT services has enabled Karcher to scale its operations and manage a fleet of connected devices efficiently.
• Data analytics and machine learning are critical for the development of next-generation robots, allowing them to operate in unpredictable environments.
• The shift from traditional manufacturing to cloud-connected products requires significant organizational changes, including new service architectures and workforce training.
• AWS services like IoT Core, Greengrass, and AppSync are instrumental in managing device fleets, performing firmware updates, and ensuring secure communication.
• The use of AWS cloud infrastructure allows for global scalability and the ability to innovate rapidly, as demonstrated by Karcher's plans for a serverless factory in Vietnam.
• The session highlighted the importance of a cloud-first strategy and the benefits of migrating on-premise systems to the cloud for increased agility and operational efficiency.
• Karcher's experience with AWS IoT showcases the potential for other industries to leverage cloud services for IoT and robotics applications.