Reply Shapes the Future of Autonomous Mobile Robots with the Power of Microsoft Azure
6.7.2021 10:30:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Reply announced today that it has developed an end-to-end solution architecture for autonomous mobile robots (AMR) on Microsoft Azure that enables new business applications across industries, reduces upfront costs and allows for the rapid implementation of customer-specific robotics use cases.
The solution combines Microsoft Azure services, the agility of Boston Dynamics' SPOT and Reply’s knowledge of intelligent cloud computing services, edge computing and artificial intelligence. To demonstrate the capabilities of a scalable and versatile robotics platform, Reply implemented an automated vehicle-damage-detection solution for rental or leasing companies that leverages this architecture. In fact, rental or leasing companies must inspect vehicles for any damage after they are returned in order to ensure the safety and quality of their fleet for their customers. This is usually done in the time- and cost-consuming manual process of walking around the car, visually inspecting it, assessing the severity of the damage and conducting a damage report.
Reply integrates Azure Cognitive Services, Machine Learning and DevOps as well as Power Apps and Power BI. Thanks to Azure's intelligent service foundation, agile workflows and machine learning, this process can be fully automated. Using computer vision, SPOT moves freely through the parking area and scans the license plates to find the right vehicle. Once detected, it walks around the vehicle to record its condition by continuously collecting visual data with its camera and sensors. This information is processed “on the edge” or transmitted to the cloud, where advanced image recognition and machine leaning algorithms perform the damage detection. All detected damages are saved in the return protocol, and they can be presented to the customer and the fleet manager for approval.
“This platform sets the power of Microsoft Azure on the move by bringing it from the Cloud to the Edge and into highly advanced mobile robotic devices, giving them the autonomy to unlock novel business use cases. Thanks to the agile reference architecture, we are able to implement customer-specific use cases in various industries that include all types of mobile robots or drones”, comments Filippo Rizzante, CTO Reply.
“Reply is a long-term, trusted partner in delivering Azure IoT solutions, and we’re delighted to continue our collaboration on this new scalable robotics offering. By leveraging Microsoft Azure, we can help accelerate this transformation by making it easier for businesses to bring AI and analytics capabilities to these autonomous systems in a consistent and secure way,” adds Lakecia Gunter, Vice President and GM, Global IOT Channel at Microsoft.
With their agility, autonomous mobile robots (AMR) are able to move independently from a central infrastructure on terrain that is not traditionally designed for robots. They can be used in hazardous environments and environments, that are harmful to people. According to ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global market for automated guided vehicle (AGV) and AMR is expected to reach $13.2 Billion by 2026 with a growth rate of around 35%. Both AGVs and AMRs collectively are going to cross the installed base of 1.5 Million in the next 5 years to make mobile robots a new normal in our day-to-day operational activities.
Reply
Reply [MTA, STAR: REY, ISIN: IT0005282865] specialises in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. As a network of highly specialised companies, Reply defines and develops business models enabled by the new models of AI, big data, cloud computing, digital media and the internet of things. Reply delivers consulting, system integration and digital services to organisations across the telecom and media; industry and services; banking and insurance; and public sectors. www.reply.com
Source Global Mobile Robots (AGV & AMR) Market:
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210706005133/en/
Contact information
Media
Reply
Fabio Zappelli
f.zappelli@reply.com
Tel. +390117711594
Sandra Dennhardt
s.dennhardt@reply.com
+49 170 454 62 29
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Takeda Receives U.S. FDA Approval of MIMRYLO™ (rusfertide), Marking a Potential Shift in the Treatment Paradigm for Polycythemia Vera29.8.2026 01:40:00 EEST | Press release
Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK)announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the New Drug Application (NDA)* for MIMRYLO™ (rusfertide) for the treatment of erythrocytosis in adults with polycythemia vera (PV), a blood cancer. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260824773270/en/ MIMRYLO Logo MIMRYLO is a first-in-class hepcidin mimetic designed to regulate iron distribution in the body and red blood cell overproduction to control hematocrit levels, which is the ratio of red blood cells to the total amount of blood in the body. Maintaining controlled hematocrit levels below 45% is the primary treatment goal in PV.1 “For patients living with PV, uncontrolled hematocrit can have serious consequences, including an elevated risk of life-threatening thrombotic events," said Andrew T. Kuykendall, M.D., VERIFY lead investigator and Associate Member in the Department of Hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center. “Curre
Rigaku and Tohoku University Establish a New Research Institute for X-Ray Metrology28.8.2026 17:00:00 EEST | Press release
Rigaku Corporation, a group company of Rigaku Holdings and a global solutions partner for X-ray analytical systems (Head Office: Akishima, Tokyo; President and CEO: Jun Kawakami; “Rigaku”), and Tohoku University (Sendai, Miyagi; President: Teiji Tominaga; “Tohoku University”) have established the Rigaku-Tohoku University Co-Creation Research Institute for X-ray Metrology: Beyond The Limits (the “Institute”) at Tohoku University on August 1, 2026. The Institute will advance X-ray metrology technology, develop new metrology methods, and foster the next generation of researchers through an initial three-year collaboration, with the possibility of extension based on its achievements. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260828688510/en/ Inside the Institute As semiconductors become smaller, more multilayered, and incorporate a wider range of materials, manufacturing processes are becoming increasingly complex. X-ray me
BLK: Portfolio Company of Enry’s Island S.p.A., Lists on Euronext Dublin28.8.2026 16:34:00 EEST | Press release
Enry’s Island S.p.A. (WBAG:EIOS), an international venture builder with headquarters in the Tremiti Islands and the Metaverse, announces that BLK Global PLC, one of the portfolio companies within its ecosystem, has successfully completed its admission to trading on Euronext Access Dublin. Trading in the company’s shares commenced on Friday, July 31, 2026, under ticker BLKX and ISIN GB00BPSKS130. BLK was one of the thousands of applications received by Enry’s Island which, following an assessment process based on the Enry’s Model, was selected for a one-year incubation and acceleration programme. The programme supported the company through its subsequent growth stages, ultimately leading to its current stock market listing. Alessandro Pacciana, Investor Relations Manager of Enry’s Island S.p.A., said: “BLK’s listing is the second stock market listing in two years among Enry’s Island’s portfolio companies, while Enry’s Island itself is the world’s first listed venture builder. We are pro
Zambon Announces European Commission Approval of Hopledo® for Adults with Parkinson's Disease and Moderate to Severe Motor Fluctuations28.8.2026 12:00:00 EEST | Press release
Zambon today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for Hopledo® (modified-release levodopa/carbidopa) for the treatment of adult patients with Parkinson’s disease and moderate to severe motor fluctuations who have not been sufficiently stabilized with oral levodopa/dopa decarboxylase (DDC) inhibitor-based treatment regimens. Zambon expects to begin the phased introduction of Hopledo® across European markets starting October 2026. The company is working closely with healthcare authorities and other stakeholders to support timely access for people with Parkinson’s disease who continue to experience moderate to severe motor fluctuations despite current oral therapies. Hopledo® is a first-in-class, oral, modified-release formulation of levodopa/carbidopa (LD/CD) approved for the treatment of motor fluctuations of Parkinson’s disease, the fastest growing neurological condition in the world according to the World Health Organization1. Despite availab
MTG-I2 Safely in Orbit, Unlocking Faster and Sharper Weather Monitoring Across Europe28.8.2026 11:16:00 EEST | Press release
The Meteosat Third Generation Imager 2 satellite (MTG-I2) has successfully passed its first critical post-launch milestones, completing the first full Meteosat Third Generation constellation in orbit. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260828243790/en/ Credit: Arianespace livestream The imager satellite MTG-I2 is safely in orbit and operating as expected following its successful launch yesterday at 22:11 CEST on board an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Our teams have established communication with the spacecraft, which has also deployed its solar panels to ensure its autonomous production of energy. MTG-I2 is in perfect shape to start its Launch and Early Operations Phase that will bring it to a higher orbit, 36 000km above Earth over the following two weeks, where a longer period of calibration and validation of its instruments will begin. This summer’s extreme weather and wildfires hav
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom