Business Wire

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

Share

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:

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210115005190/en/Global-Mobile-Robots-AGV-AMR-Market-Expected-to-Reach-14B-by-2026---The-New-Normal-in-Our-Day-to-Day-Operational-Activities---ResearchAndMarkets.com

To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

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

Mosaic Therapeutics appoints Dr Vince O'Neill, MD, as Head of R&D1.4.2026 12:11:00 EEST | Press release

Mosaic Therapeutics, Ltd, (‘Mosaic’, or ‘the Company’) a clinical-stage oncology therapeutics company developing next-generation, Synergistic Precision combination therapies, today announced the appointment of Dr Vince O’Neill as Head of Research and Development (R&D) to support its next phase of growth. “We are delighted to welcome Vince to the Mosaic leadership team at this pivotal stage of the company’s evolution,”said Thomas Fuchs, CEO, Mosaic Therapeutics.“His deep expertise in targeted oncology drug development and diagnostics will be instrumental as we advance our pipeline to bring transformative therapies to patients in need.” Vince is a board-certified medical oncologist and highly experienced biotechnology executive, bringing over two decades of therapeutic and diagnostic R&D experience within industry to Mosaic Therapeutics, with a track record spanning from IND through to NDA/BLA/MAA approval. Most recently he served at BioXcel Therapeutics as EVP, Head of Product Developme

The AI Summit London Launches Strategic Partnerships with London Business School and General Purpose to Ignite New Era in AI Leadership1.4.2026 10:00:00 EEST | Press release

The AI Summit London, the conference where commercial AI comes to life, has announced strategic collaborations with London Business School and General Purpose to introduce two dedicated AI Training programmes, taking place ahead of the conference on 9 June. Drawing upon the globally recognised expertise in executive education at the London Business School’s Data Science & AI Initiative (DSAI), the one-day AI Leadership Accelerator is a high-impact session designed to equip senior business leaders with the knowledge and tools to unlock real and profitable value from AI. The DSAI at London Business School helps leaders make sense of AI in a way that goes beyond the hype, focusing on what it really means for their organisations, industries, and competitive positioning. Drawing on rigorous, cross-disciplinary research, DSAI provides clear, evidence-based insights - equipping executives with the perspective needed to make confident, high-stakes decisions. “Through our work we increasingly s

Samsung Research Reveals Over Half of Europeans Admit to Looking at a Stranger's Phone Screen in Public – With Nearly a Quarter Doing so out of Sheer Curiosity1.4.2026 09:00:00 EEST | Press release

As millions of Europeans2 get ready to enjoy the Easter weekend, new research from Samsung finds Europe’s public spaces have become shared screens: 56% of people say they have accidentally looked at a stranger’s phone, citing public transport as the most likely place to notice someone else’s screen (57%). Nearly one in four Europeans2 (24%) admit to looking at someone else’s phone out of curiosity, exposing a stream of private content from personal photos to bank details. Samsung Electronics surveyed 11,000 Europeans2 to support the launch of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which introduces a built-in Privacy Display. This new hardware-based technology keeps screen content visible only from the front to protect privacy from side angles, without compromising the viewing experience3. The study further reveals a gap between perceived phone privacy and reality: While 48%* feel their own phone use is private when using it in crowded places, 52%** find it easy to view someone else’s screen in public.

RevolKa Reimagines Antibody Engineering with "RevoAb ® "1.4.2026 07:30:00 EEST | Press release

RevolKa Ltd. (RevolKa), a venture-backed biotech company providing an advanced AI protein engineering technology platform, called aiProtein®, is pleased to announce the official global launch of RevoAb®, an innovative and quick online service for antibody sequence optimization to solve challenges in physicochemical properties, especially antibodyyields. RevoAb®:The Next-Gen AI Antibody Design Since December 2023, RevolKa has provided an antibody optimization services utilizing aiProtein®. The newly launched RevoAb® is a quick intuitive online antibody sequence optimization service that integrates RevolKa’s core technology—the "Refined Naturalness Framework Engineering". RevoAb® is designed to generate antibody framework sequences optimized for improved physicochemical properties, especially protein expression levels, without trade-off of affinity. This allows researchers worldwide to experience RevolKa’s high-performance antibody design. Key Advantages of RevoAb® Speed: Multiple optimi

Global Beauty Market Grows 10% as AI and E-commerce Reshape Consumer Buying1.4.2026 04:00:00 EEST | Press release

NielsenIQ (NYSE:NIQ), a global leader in consumer intelligence, today released its State of Beauty 2026 report, showing the global beauty market grew 10% year-on-year, with E-commerce expanding six times faster than in-store sales. The findings highlight a rapid shift to digital-first, AI-influenced commerce across key global markets. As consumer expectations evolve toward convenience, personalization, and seamless digital experiences, beauty brands are under increasing pressure to adapt. From AI-powered product discovery to social commerce and livestream shopping, the path to purchase is becoming more dynamic—requiring brands to move faster and engage consumers across an increasingly complex ecosystem. Key findings from the State of Beauty 2026 report: Global beauty sales grew 10% year-over-year, driven by strong digital acceleration E-commerce is growing 6x faster than in-store sales, reshaping channel strategies 49% of consumers are willing to pay more for locally made products, ref

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
World GlobeA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye