The concept of a wheel, though ancient, remains central to innovation in technology. Wheel.me, a Norwegian startup founded by Rolf Libakken and Atle Tiemenes in 2013, redefines this concept by merging traditional design with modern robotics. Their approach aims to transform everyday objects into autonomous robots, a notion that emerged from a simple need to make moving furniture easier. By embedding robotics into wheels, the startup aspires to enhance automation across multiple industries.
In earlier activities, wheel.me focused on simplifying the process of moving heavy furniture. Their initial product was a pop-up wheel designed to fit furniture legs, making it movable with minimal effort. This solution has expanded into a broader mission to incorporate smart technology into wheels for various applications. The company’s evolution reflects a shift from basic mechanical assistance to integrating complex robotics and AI. This transition shows wheel.me’s growth from addressing household challenges to catering to industrial needs.
What Drives Wheel.me’s Innovation?
Wheel.me has its focus on creating a seamless hardware and software integration that is both user-friendly and compliant with industrial standards. The startup’s product development involves collaboration and feedback from over 30 major companies across America, Europe, and Japan. Their robotic platform, known as Genius, has evolved through these collaborations, learning from different industrial environments’ unique challenges. Their approach reflects a commitment to adapting and refining their technology based on real-world use cases and customer feedback.
How Does Genius Utilize AI and Robotics?
Genius, wheel.me’s robotic solution, uses AI for object recognition, navigation, and predictive maintenance. The system consists of multiple robotic wheels that replace standard caster wheels, equipped with sensors and computing power for autonomous movement. The integration with AWS cloud services ensures efficient fleet management and scalability, allowing users to automate processes without disrupting existing workflows. This capability makes it particularly appealing to industries like automotive manufacturing, where scalability and minimal disruption are crucial.
“We leverage the AWS IoT services to manage the fleet of robots through a centralised application that allows us to collect data, create centralised maps, define missions and upgrade robots with the latest software upgrades in scale,” explains Anmol Kandroo, DevOps Manager at wheel.me.
The reliance on AWS helps wheel.me maintain flexibility and cost-effectiveness while facilitating global reach. The partnership with AWS highlights the importance of infrastructure in supporting technological innovation and expansion. As a small tech startup, wheel.me finds AWS’s scalability and reliability crucial for its operations and future growth plans.
The company continues to expand its workforce and operational capabilities, focusing on both the US and Norwegian markets. Offering a Robotics-as-a-Service model, wheel.me aims to support the global expansion of its customers, particularly those moving into Asian markets. The automated factory in Norway represents their investment in scaling production and enhancing technological capabilities.
Wheel.me’s integration of robotics and AI into its products shows a significant stride in industrial automation. The commitment to improving processes through advanced technology and customer collaboration positions the company as a notable player in the robotics field. Their expansion into new markets and continued innovation may further solidify their presence in the industry.
