Balyo was created in 2005 by two young engineers, Raul Bravo and Thomas Duval.
More than 500 Driven by Balyo robots are currently running worldwide.
Balyo has offices in 3 regions : AMERICAS (Boston, USA), APAC (Singapore, SG), EMEA- HQ (Ivry Sur Seine, FR). Each regional office is composed of Sales, Delivery and Service departments.
Partners are in charge of promoting, selling and maintaining Driven by Balyo products through their network. The partnerships also aim to transfer the manufacturing operations from Balyo to the partners.
It depends of robots type and partners. Balyo currently manufactures a majority of robots but is progressively transferring production to its partners.
Balyo owns its software & hardware design. The movebox and component are manufactured by third party supplier and integrated to the robots by Balyo.
Balyo is in charge of software design & evolutions. All core functions of our system are designed in-house.
Driven by Balyo robots embedded the “dual mode” feature, meaning they can by driven either in automatic or in manual mode
Our partners network are in charge of providing spare parts for base trucks and robotic items. The process is exactly the same than for a manual lift truck.
Robots do not replace jobs. Usually, our customers train their drivers to work on other logistic or manufacturing processes in order to increase productivity with the same quantity of employees.
Based on the quantity of shift and industry type, ROI can vary from 13 to 24 months.
The system is fully scalable. An application can start with one unit and grow in the future.
1 to 15 man days depending on circuit complexity, size of fleet, specific conditions.
Balyo owns its software & hardware design. The movebox and component are manufactured by third party supplier and integrated to the robots by Balyo.
Balyo solution can integrate with many WMS or ERP systems. Each integration process is different depending on the IT solution and it will be considered as an individual project within the robotic installation.
A fleet of Driven by Balyo robotic trucks communicate with each other via the Balyo Robot Manager. The Robot Manager communicates with each robotic truck through a wireless network. The Robot Manager then assigns missions, regulate traffic by coordinating the whole fleet.
The customer’s Wi-Fi specification must be compliant with the IEEE (802.11 a/b/g/n) standards, using 2.4 GHz or 5GHz frequencies. The customer’s Wi-Fi will need to be conformed on specific channels as specified by Balyo. in the Customer Network Technical Specifications.
There are two different levels of encryption depending on the WiFi type : Personal & Enterprise. WiFi Personal : TKIP & AES (CCMP) WiFi Enterprise : EAP-MSCHAPv2 As many encryption types exist for WiFi Enterprise, some of them would need to be reviewed by Balyo to ensure compatibility.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a network management protocol used on TCP/IP, is a server enabling device to request IP addresses and networking parameters automatically. This removes the requirement to assign manually IP addresses to all network devices. Balyo robotic systems are compatible with two different types of configurations : – Static (fixed IP) for all elements (COMBOX, Docking stations, Robots) – DHCP protocol is only compatible with robots, any other elements like COMBOXs must be used with a fixed IP.
Mapping a facility is the initial step of any project installation. The navigation algorithm compares the map of your facility with real time data to accurately navigate. The mapping process can last from a few hours to a few days, depending on the robot working area.
There are at least two people involved in the project :
– a project engineer who works with the client to align on project scope, milestones and planning.
– a field engineer, who mostly works on site, is responsible for mapping, circuit design, feasibility and safety testing.
Requirements may vary depending on the type and scope of the project, however some preparations must be completed:
– ensure WIFI coverage of the robots working area
– all power and communication connections installed for COMBOXs
– integrate COMBOXs with all the equipments that will interface with Robot Manager, i.e. pallet wrappers or conveyor systems
– mark the floors as stated in the supplied risk assessment document – prepare pick and drop locations
– ensure that all pathways for the robot are clean and flat
– prepare a PC that matches specification for installation of the Robot Manager
– prepare employees for Human/Robot cohabitation
The Field Engineer work in two phases:
1. Prior to delivery
– review the customer specifications
– prepare and test the Robot Manager
– complete Factory Acceptance Test before robots shipping
2. On site, post delivery
– check and validate network configuration – map the facility – brake and safety testing
– create and install the robot routes
– install Robot Manager
– test and configure pick and drop points
– fully review and test the installation
– full ramp-up; run production on the program and supervise
– handover
Driven by Balyo’s “Geo-guidance” navigation is based on SLAM technology (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) in conjunction with LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) that allow robots to locate and navigate within your facility.
When an obstacle is on the robot path, it slows down and comes to a complete stop. If the obstacle is cleared out of the detection zone, the Robot restarts autonomously without any human intervention. Driven by Balyo AMRs are able to avoid obstacles very simply whereas autonomous lift trucks do not due to safety reasons.
Driven by Balyo’s geo-guidance navigation does not require any additional infrastructures like reflectors, tape, wires, etc. This allows faster and more cost effective installations of the robotic solution.
This type of navigation has more reference points than natural navigation and it allows to be more accurate and to work full-time night and day.
Driven by Balyo’s navigation limitations can occurs in particular environments where the surrounding areas do not offer enough reference points. These environments are areas where stacked pallets or any other temporary items surround the LIDAR filed. Special considerations and solutions are used to overcome these limitations. Contact us for further information.
Unlike robotic solutions that use video technology for navigation, light levels do not affect the Driven by Balyo navigation system. If the Robot has enough reference points, windows and transparent surface have no impact. The only real restriction for our robots is that is must operate indoors, on a clean smooth surface.
These metrics are not used for navigation in most applications. The base truck odometry may be used to improve specific movements and add additional precision to specific environments.
At any stage of the development, Balyo ensures to be in line with the local legislation such as Directive 2006/42/EC in Europe and ANSI/ITSDF B56.5 – 2019 in the United States. Both of these standards will guide and regulate us to select, design and configure our robots to the highest safety standards.
Balyo robots combine Personnel Safety (Hardware Safety Field) and obstacle detection sensors to ensure optimum safety.Personnel safety is a PL-D level design consisting of a decision loop independent from the robot software. Software detection field ensure obstacle detection, whose data are treated by Robot’s intelligent software.
All the safety means and logic are set to respond to both the norms and customer site. According to the customer operation and type of load, BALYO will adapt the standard concept to fit to the site requirements. When set and approved, the safety system cannot be exchanged except by a qualified technician.
Balyo has developed a specific “3D Rack Detection” feature guaranteeing the pick/drop of pallets from the rack. A 3D camera is installed with pallet recognition feature which analyzes the pallet type(open/closed/etc.) and allow adjustment of the robot’s position for flawless pick-up or drop.The latest BALYO innovation allows for the analysis of pallet type detection (open, closed, etc.) and adjustment of the robot’s position for optimum pick-up or drop.This technology is used in dedicated full-height robotic trucks.
Adhering to the strict legislations, all our safety systems are PL-d rated, with a specific sensor loop working independently from the robot software. Balyo also possesses an extensive safety know-how which goes beyond simple design, also taking into account all the operations, types of product, to balance performance and safety.
Dynamic Cornering Detection : The robot’s front and rear safety fields adapt to its trajectory, to prevent breakdowns and optimize productivity.
3D Rack Detection : A feature guaranteeing the optimum pick/drop of the pallets from high racks, ensuring safety and efficiency.
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