SAP Project Embodied AI: Robots in Manufacturing Warehouses

Manufacturing efficiency can be constrained by warehouse bottlenecks and labour-intensive processes.

For BITZER, a specialist in refrigeration and air conditioning manufacturing, meeting production demand while maintaining precision is critical.

The company's compressors are vital components in cold chain operations, from preserving perishable goods in shipping containers to processing frozen foods and storing medication.

Now, BITZER is working with SAP on its Project Embodied AI pilot, exploring how AI-driven robotics could revolutionise warehouse operations and unlock new levels of manufacturing efficiency.

By integrating physical robots with SAP Business AI, the project aims to create cognitive machines capable of working autonomously in real-world production settings.

For BITZER, this could mean faster response times to manufacturing demand and fewer operational errors across its warehouse operations.

Demand-driven production capabilities

BITZER's technologies help maintain optimal temperature conditions across diverse industries, from hospital operating theatres to supermarket shelves and hotel rooms.

Without its compressors, cold chains would be broken and vital goods would be wasted.

Christian Stenzel, Vice President of Organisation and IT at BITZER, explains: "Optimising business processes is as important as product innovation at BITZER."

The company is a RISE with SAP customer, using the subscription-based offering to transition into the cloud and gain access to advanced technology systems.

As a current priority, BITZER is focusing on AI integration and adoption to enhance its manufacturing capabilities.

"Demand-driven production is key in our business," Christian adds. 

The manufacturer already uses the SAP Business Technology Platform and SAP Extended Warehouse Management, providing the necessary infrastructure to deploy and test cognitive robots in a live manufacturing environment.

Autonomous robots in manufacturing

Under Project Embodied AI, SAP's Research and Innovation team is exploring how artificial intelligence can be combined with physical form to create robots that use real-time data to work autonomously.

The project goes beyond basic automation by making robots cognitive through SAP Business AI integration.

To test these capabilities, the Project Embodied AI team formed a Physical AI and Cognitive Robots Exploration Council, comprising innovation professionals from partner companies including BITZER.

The proof of concept at BITZER's facility deployed NEURA's 4NE1 humanoid robot to assess the practical value of embodied AI in manufacturing operations.

This collaboration allowed SAP to evaluate how cognitive robotics could function within existing warehouse management systems.

Dr Lukasz Ostrowski, Head of Embodied AI and Robotics at SAP, explains: "The proof of concept at BITZER is great first step for experiencing first-hand how the impact of SAP Business AI can be extended into physical operations.

"Further proofs of concept are planned as Project Embodied AI continues to assess the business value of embodied AI for customers."

Reshaping warehouse efficiency standards

According to the pilot results, SAP EWM was able to connect directly with physical warehouse operations without the need for expensive or time-consuming middleware.

The robots displayed a high level of independence when performing tasks, requiring no manual or human involvement during operations.

This autonomy could allow manufacturing facilities to maintain continuous operations across different shifts.

The robots can operate 24/7 to adapt to demand fluctuations and meet production expectations, providing the agility and flexibility needed for demand-driven manufacturing.