In context
In mid-2024, automotive manufacturers were increasingly turning to flexible robotics to overhaul after-sales logistics, seeking both efficiency gains and improved worker safety. Renault's move to fully automate a parts facility with a French robotics partner highlighted a growing trend of domestic collaborations to modernize supply chains.
What was reported
Renault Group unveiled its “new-generation” logistics facility in Villeroy, France, described as “100 percent automated” and equipped with 191 Skypod robots from Exotec, a French industrial robotics company. The all-French collaboration was called a world first for a car manufacturer.
The Skypod robots pick items at height, eliminating fall risks and reducing order preparation time by a factor of six. The facility can prepare nearly 4,000 order lines per hour at peak activity across 14 picking stations, with an order preparation time of 20 minutes—down from two hours previously. It processes up to 40,000 order lines per day, covering 110,000 references, including 20,000 managed by the new system.
Renault reported a 25 percent increase in the number of orders served, a 30 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional solutions, and a smaller storage footprint. The robots handle injection, picking, and shipping tasks, adapting in real time to changing production needs.
Why it mattered
The deployment demonstrated how flexible, scalable robotic systems could transform automotive after-sales logistics, offering a template for manufacturers seeking to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability while maintaining high service levels.
“We are proud to collaborate with Exotec to equip our supply chain with Skypod robots, positioning our Villeroy site at the forefront of innovation.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2024-06-19 · “Renault brings in 191 Exotec robots to fully automate vehicle parts facility”