PRESS RELEASE
Munich, Germany, November 10, 2021: Starting today, the software and robotics company arculus is now a part of Jungheinrich AG. Together they are creating the future of automation.
Automation is key to the future growth of Jungheinrich. In light of this, the Group has acquired arculus GmbH, a technology company based in Munich that operates in the autonomous mobile robots (AMR) sector. arculus focuses on autonomous mobile robots, modular production platforms and software solutions for mobile automation with its experienced team of hardware and software specialists at its sites in Munich, Ingolstadt, Stuttgart and Dresden. Many well-known automotive manufacturers and industrial clients from various other sectors are among arculus’ clients.
“At arculus, we are excited about the synergies that we and Jungheinrich will be able to offer our customers in the future. Our companies also share common goals and values, like the commitment to making it easier for our customers to meet their automation needs quickly and efficiently.”
Dr. Fabian Rusitschka, CEO of arculus
In acquiring arculus, Jungheinrich has added highly innovative hardware and software solutions in the rapidly growing autonomous mobile robots sector to its existing portfolio of automation systems.
“With the acquisition of arculus, we have been able to comprehensively expand Jungheinrich’s expertise in the automation field of action. Important areas of application – like good-to-person order picking – will see continued strong growth, not least because of the ever-increasing amount of e-commerce. With the team from arculus, we can achieve strong growth synergy and unlock important future fields of action in automated warehouse logistics. Together we are opening a new chapter in the history of the warehouse of the future.”
Dr. Lars Brzoska, Chairman of the Board of Management of Jungheinrich AG
With arculus’ fleet management software recognised with the IFOY AWARD 2021, AMR and AGV fleets from any manufacturer can be operated with the VDA 5050 interface. The intelligent traffic control system arculus Fleet makes it possible to operate automated guided vehicles (AGVs) from different manufacturers in a shared logistics and production environment. Planning, simulation, operation and optimisation can all take place within this one software system. The core functions include digital route planning based on real-time traffic data and anticipatory route planning to prevent congestion.
arculus Fleet has become the standard software for intelligent control of automated guided vehicles for a premium automotive manufacturer, where it is the foundation of fully automated material supply for production facilities across the locations.
Via the VDA 5050 interface, the fleet management system controls the arculus AMRs and the automated guided vehicles from third-party suppliers.
“Back in 2018 we provided proof of concept for a premium automotive manufacturer. We incorporated this experience into the standardisation initiative of the VDA/VDMA, and we are very proud that it has become an industry standard that is used in practice.”
Dr. Fabian Rusitschka, CEO of arculus
arculus is a member of the VDA and VDMA expert committee for standardising the AGV interface and has helped shape its development. The insights they gained while working with their customer went directly into the VDA 5050 standardisation process. The standard developed allows for the quick and efficient integration of automated guided vehicles from different manufacturers into a single control system – to optimise logistics process and thus increase the degree of automation, which Jungheinrich will also benefit from in the future.
Jungheinrich AG
Founded in 1953, Jungheinrich ranks among the world’s leading solutions providers for the intralogistics sector. With a comprehensive portfolio of material handling equipment, automatic systems and services, Jungheinrich is able to offer customers tailored solutions for the challenges posed by Industry 4.0. The Hamburg-based Group is represented worldwide in 40 countries with its own direct sales companies and in approximately 80 other countries through partner companies. Jungheinrich employs 18,000 people worldwide and generated Group revenue of €3.81 billion in 2020. The Jungheinrich share is listed on the SDAX.
arculus GmbH
Founded in 2016, arculus is a leading provider of complete solutions for planning, implementation and management of automated logistics and modular production systems. arculus’ portfolio includes the arculee line of autonomous mobile robots, the arculus Fleet software, arculus Warehouse (goods-to-person logistics) and arculus Modular Production (dynamic product flow).