Germany: 60 Rhinos run Emsflower internal transport

Automation is an ever ongoing process. At large enterprises like Emsflower in Emsbüren just across the border from Enschede, they are constantly asking: how can it be done more efficiently? Emsflower is very active in this regard and completes one project after another. Most recently 60 'Rhinos' were purchased from Achterbosch Machinebouw; fully automatic vehicles that transport plant carts across the company without human involvement.

A thorough trial and error process was undertaken to ensure smooth operation of the Rhinos, so called because they look a bit like a rhinoceros. Roy Achterbosch: "We delivered the first one six months ago. Before it could run an induction circuit had to be built: copper wires in the concrete were placed in slots carved into the ground for this purpose. Then the Rhino - equipped with all kinds of software, sensors and gadgets - had to deliver on what was promised in practice. One thing we discovered was that when the greenhouse was swept the dust upset the sensors. Those are things you can only learn in practice."

Emsflower grows pot and bedding plants in Emsbüren under more than 44 hectares of glass. In Denekamp, Erica and Fretzdorf near Berlin there are another combined 34 hectares of greenhouses. Imagine having to drag everything manually all over the place. "That's of course not very practical and therefore our Rhino is ideal. The Rhino is provided with an ergonomical arm. In automatic operation mode this arm is folded back against the vehicle. However, an employee can fold the arm out at any given time, which instantly switches the Rhino to manual mode. The employee can then take it anywhere and connect or disconnect carts. The Rhino is then returned to the induction wire and released. The vehicle will switch back to automatic mode. It can also remember objects and even be programmed so that it can operate without the induction circuit. For example, the option to overtake another Rhino can be built in. And all of this can be centrally controlled with Wi-Fi."

In addition to the Rhinos Achterbosch delivered about 30 trolleys. These "park" themselves in the filling machine where potted plants are placed on the trolley. Once loaded they ride into the nursery independently. There the plants are completely automatically unloaded from trolley to floor - a system that Achterbosch also developed and installed. The trolley then returns to pick up a new load or - if it’s taking back full-grown plants - rides to the conveyor belts where the plants are checked, packaged, labeled and placed on carts (another advanced system that TTA is currently developing and installing). These table trolleys of 8 by two meters also ride automatically, recharge when they are idle or park themselves when they don’t have job orders.

For Achterbosch the project at Emsflower is one of prestige besides pure business. Roy: "Automating internal transportation at this scale is unique. And really cool: something we love to show our (potential) customers!"

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