What you bring
A hall or warehouse in NRW, cameras with access to the image, a recurring task and a person who knows the workflow.
ROBOTICS & INTEGRATION
Robotics that fits your workflow.
You have a repetitive task. We assess the robotics approach and develop the combination of hardware, controls and software — turning it into a workflow you can test.
One concrete process is enough to get started.
DDC / ENGINEERINGIntegration concept
RoboticsControlYour system
FROM PROCESS TO SYSTEMIllustrative diagram
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT · PROJECT LOOPThe hall that organises itself.
The hall that organises itself.
See, plan, do, check.
Today a camera detects an event and a person has to react. In LOOP the loop closes: the job is created from the camera image, an AI dispatcher assigns it to a robot, and the camera checks the result. People approve exceptions only. Existing cameras, robots from different manufacturers, no rebuild of the hall. Each step shows what already runs today.
- In operation
Camera spots the need
Video analytics on existing cameras detects that something needs doing: material is missing, an area is dirty, a zone is blocked. View ↗
- Tech demo
AI dispatcher plans
An AI dispatcher turns this into a job and assigns it to the right robot, including devices from different manufacturers. View ↗
- Prototype
Robot does the job
Mobile robots and robot arms take on transport, sorting or cleaning. View ↗
- In development
Camera checks the result
The same camera checks whether the job is done, with an image model that describes activities instead of only counting objects. Only then does the loop close.
- In operation
People approve exceptions
Routine runs through. Anything unusual or with consequences goes to the responsible person for approval. View ↗
PILOT PHASE 2027
Three pilot places for businesses in NRW.
We are looking for three businesses with a hall or warehouse, existing cameras and a task that recurs every day: bringing material, cleaning areas, checking stock. For this one task we build the loop together, first in simulation with your floor plan, then in a test run on site.
What you get
Simulation with your floor plan, a test run on site, a measurement report with results and limits, and priority when LOOP goes into regular operation.
How places are chosen
After a conversation and a site visit. What counts is a clear task, measurable benefit and room for a safe test.
THREE COMMON STARTING POINTS
Start with the task.
Transport between stations
Move materials, containers or components along recurring routes. We assess paths, transfer points, loads and obstacles.
Pick, sort and feed
A manipulator with a gripper picks, sorts and feeds parts; the camera guides it to the right one.
Inspect and respond
Capture visible features or events with cameras and integrate them into an agreed control or alert workflow.
WHAT A PILOT DELIVERS
Evidence for your investment decision.
A defined system
A specified workflow with the agreed hardware, software and interfaces.
A result you can assess
A test report covering agreed measures, identified limits and outstanding work.
A route to implementation
A proposal for the next scope, effort, responsibilities and operation.
A FOCUSED START
Explore material transport ↗One transport route as your first pilot.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE: ROBOTICS PROTOTYPESSorting, cleaning, transporting.
Sorting, cleaning, transporting.
Built by us.
Our team does not just integrate robots, it also builds and programs them. Two examples from our own workshop.
- Delta robot · prototype 2023A camera detects recyclables on the belt, the gripper sorts them out. Mechanics, control and vision from one team.
- Mobile robot · cleaning & transportFor a shopping centre: autonomous navigation with sensors and route planning, avoiding obstacles, cleaning floors and moving small loads.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE: TERMINALS & PERIPHERALSHardware, control, software.
Hardware, control, software.
In one device.
In 2023 our team built an interactive terminal for an event provider: housing, screen, card dispenser and the software that controls it all. The same combination of device, interface and workflow is behind parking terminals and locker systems.
- Housing & screenCustom housing with a portrait screen and lighting for use at events.
- Card dispensingControl of the card dispenser over the serial interface using the manufacturer protocol.
- SoftwareWindows application with a video start screen, touch evaluation and flow control.
ENGINEERING BACKGROUND
Explore our development background ↗Robotics needs more than hardware.
Our project background combines mobile robots, robot arms, robot control and image processing with custom enterprise software. In a conversation, we discuss development work relevant to your task and define a suitable project scope.
FREE FIRST CHECKCheck first, then decide.
Check first, then decide.
Free of charge.
Before you spend any money, we look at your workflow. You get an honest assessment and a fixed price for the next step.
Call, 30 to 60 minutes
You show us the workflow in a video call, ideally with a short phone video or a few photos in advance.
Outline within two weeks
Approach, feasibility, limits and a fixed price for the next step, a check or a pilot. Plus a note on whether a funding programme could fit.
You decide
No obligation. “Better not to do it” is a possible result too.
PROJECT CONCEPTS
Workflows you can tackle with this.
Examples with workflow, deliverable and pilot scope. They are concepts for a first pilot, not completed client projects.
Robotics & operations
From the Store to the Assembly Station
We automate a recurring material route between storage and assembly. The pilot connects a material request, robot transport and confirmed handover, using a defined container within a clearly bounded work area.
See the workflow & deliverables ↗Robotics & operations
Robot Cleaning for a Defined Floor Area
We introduce a cleaning robot for a selected area of your building. The pilot combines the automated cleaning run with preparation, manual finishing and a documented quality check by your team.
See the workflow & deliverables ↗Robotics & operations
Make Tool Checkout and Return Traceable
We automate checkout and return for selected tools using a cabinet with controlled compartments. The pilot combines access permissions, tool identification and a traceable handover record, while the responsible team retains condition checks.
See the workflow & deliverables ↗Robotics & operations
From Service Request to Parts Handover
We connect service request handling with preparation and robot transport of the required parts kit. The pilot brings one clearly defined workflow together, from a reviewed request to confirmed handover to your technician.
See the workflow & deliverables ↗FAQ
Before we start.
Do we need to buy a robot first?
No. We start with the task, the site and your objective. Hardware and peripheral selection follows the technical assessment.
Can existing equipment be connected?
We assess the available controls, interfaces and access rights. The pilot can start with one clearly defined connection.
Do you work with a specific manufacturer?
Selection follows the task. We assess suitable platforms and establish availability, documentation, interfaces and requirements for operation.
What about safety and responsibility?
Before deployment we establish roles, operating limits, safeguards and required checks. An experimental setup and a system approved for daily operation are different project stages.
What does it cost?
The feasibility check costs from €1,490 and is credited towards the pilot. Effort depends on the task, hardware, environment and interfaces. Once we narrow the scope, we define deliverables, acceptance criteria and a proposal. Hardware, development and operation are considered transparently.
NEXT
Related to this page.
Where this already runs
- PrototypeRobotics prototypes: sorting, cleaning, transporting ↗
- Project experienceTerminals and peripherals: hardware, control, software ↗
- In developmentProject LOOP: camera sees, robot does the job ↗
What it costs
Who it is for
THE NEXT STEP
What should work better in your business?
Tell us about a process that takes up your team’s time. We discuss where automation could help and what is needed to define the next step.
For robotics, useful details include the task, cycle or frequency, part or load, existing equipment and site.
Your effort: one person who knows the workflow, access to examples, a kickoff conversation and the decision after the pilot. We handle integration, setup and coordination with vendors. What we take on ↗
HEINRICH SCHNEIDER / DDC
heinrich@ddc.companyPrefer email? Write to us directly.
Contracting party: M2D GmbH, Am Turm 11, 53721 Siegburg · initial call free of charge · Pricing · Security & data protection