CEVA automates vehicle movements

CEVA Logistics, a global leader in third-party and automotive logistics, has signed a partnership agreement with STRADOT, a Toulouse-based robotics company specialized in handling solutions.

Two STRADOT conveyor robots will autonomously manage moving vehicles across 2,000 dedicated slots at CEVA’s Nanteuil-le-Haudouin facility, France.

The multi-year partnership between CEVA and STRADOT involves the use of two conveyor robots for handling and moving vehicles during reception and shipping preparation at CEVA’s finished vehicle logistics (FVL) facility in Nanteuil-le-Haudouin, France.

Benefiting from the latest technological advancements in mobile robotics, the two robots will autonomously manage vehicle movements starting in September, within a fully enclosed and secure area covering 2,000 of the site’s 8,000 slots.

The robots will be tasked with conveying vehicles from the reception area and parking them in designated spaces. They will also manage the movement of parked vehicles within the area to position them on shipping lanes for loading into car carrier vehicles. The robots will perform several thousand vehicle movements per month, with optimized control of their movements between the parking areas and the reception and shipping zone of the facility.

The STRADOT robots have the unique ability to lift vehicles to be moved and straddle other parked vehicles along the route, maximizing parking space and increasing storage and movement capacity on the lot by reducing the area needed for maneuvers and traffic lanes.

CEVA has a rich culture of innovation, driving progress and value for customers. The integration of the latest developments in robotics into its operations demonstrates CEVA’s commitment to continuous improvement and operational efficiency. The deployment of the STRADOT robots followed a trial period, with the initial pilot conducted in May 2024 at CEVA’s FVL platform in Loyette, France.

The successful pilot project identified benefits not only in terms of space optimization within the facility and movements within the robotics zone, but also potential productivity gains. The use of electric conveyor robots also contributes to reducing the site’s environmental footprint.

Thomas Maître, product development head, Finished Vehicle Logistics, CEVA Logistics, said: “We are delighted to establish this partnership with STRADOT, which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to deploying innovative solutions and adopting cutting-edge technologies. The use of STRADOT robots supports our mission to improve efficiency across our finished vehicle logistics operations.”

José Iriarte, CEO & co-founder, STRADOT, said: “Our partnership with CEVA Logistics is a fantastic opportunity to showcase how robotics are revolutionizing logistics. We are excited to embark on this multi-year collaboration and are confident that the project will create value and optimize land use, enabling CEVA to strengthen its services and ability to support customers.”