Automate 2024: Third Wave Automation announces Armada dynamic fleet management system

Third Wave Automation, provider of autonomous high-reach forklifts powered by Shared Autonomy, announced the commercial availability of its Armada fleet management system, the central interface for the company’s Shared Autonomy platform. Third Wave Automation offers proactive collision avoidance and tools to minimize the time it takes to address delays that could impact pallet movement and throughput.

The Armada FMS enables a single operator to safely and effectively manage multiple TWA Reach and TWA Extended Reach forklifts simultaneously. Operators can execute and monitor workflows, and configure warehouse zones dynamically, all while integrating with other warehouse management systems. Third Wave Automation’s Shared Autonomy Platform streamlines warehouse operations, dramatically increasing worker efficiency and safety.

Armada addresses warehouse operations challenges

Warehouse operators are facing significant challenges with labor, while demand for their services grows. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, warehouse operators have seen labor costs increase by about 80% in the last five years, while staff turnover averages about 30% monthly. These staffing challenges hamper operators’ ability to manage workloads and maintain a safe environment.

Third Wave Automation directly addresses these issues with its Shared Autonomy platform, comprised of the TWA Reach line of forklifts - which operate in four modes: fully autonomous, remote assist, remote operation and traditional manual operation - using Armada FMS.

"Third Wave Automation is driving smarter automation in the warehouse with its AI-powered Shared Autonomy Platform,” said Arshan Poursohi, CEO and co-founder of Third Wave Automation. “However, this would not be possible without an intelligent fleet management system that provides a powerful connection between remote operators and the autonomous forklifts on the warehouse floor. Our Armada FMS is fundamental to achieving our customers' performance goals.”

As the forklifts are deployed, Armada FMS enables warehouse supervisors and operators to benefit from:

• Streamlined workflows through Shared Autonomy: Robotic high-reach forklifts can be operated in various modes, supported by Third Wave Automation’s Shared Autonomy platform. The platform handles new and unique workflows and various racking configurations to quickly address any challenges the forklifts encounter.
• First-of-its-kind technology for improved visibility and collision avoidance: Using obstacle detection systems, including lidar and camera feeds on the robotic forklifts, remote operators can gain insights into the location of potential obstacles, even those not visible to the naked eye; navigate around them; and get a better view of target pick and place locations than manual operators.
• Intuitive assist queuing: Support for multiple, efficient forklift paths resolves operational issues and increases autonomy time, improving throughput.
• Responsiveness to dynamic warehouse conditions: Armada extends beyond the capabilities of traditional warehouse management systems, providing tools like on-the-fly region block, task prioritization and schedule management, which enable supervisors to quickly and efficiently respond to real-time changes in the warehouse environment.

Armada at Automate

At Automate 2024, show attendees can visit Third Wave Automation at Booth 5453 to learn more about the Armada FMS, the Shared Autonomy platform and autonomous high-reach forklifts. Attendees can see demos of Third Wave Automation’s sensor suite, which combines Ouster 3D lidar and Framos 3D cameras to guide its robotic forklifts, and remote operator station with an Armada FMS simulator.

Want to learn more about fleet management? This article was featured in the June 2024 Robotics 24/7 Special Focus Issue titled "Orchestrating mobile robot fleets for success."