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
OPEX® Corporation Offers a Simplified, One-Touch Document Scanning Solution with the Introduction of Axis™6.10.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
OPEX® Corporation, a global leader in Next Generation Automation providing innovative solutions for warehouse, document and mail automation, has announced the launch of Axis™, a new document scanner that brings the benefits of one-touch scanning to a simplified, single-bin configuration. Designed for document capture workflows where minimal document preparation, mixed media handling or operational simplicity are priorities, Axis bridges the gap between OPEX’s desktop scanner series and its multi-bin production scanner portfolio. “We developed Axis in direct response to market demands,” said Dann Worrell, President, Document and Mail Automation, OPEX. “Our customers want to simplify their scanning processes, reduce operating costs, and improve quality. Axis delivers on these priorities by combining our minimal-prep, One-Touch scanning technology with a single-bin design. With a lower market accessible entry point, Axis helps customers process documents more efficiently while achieving m
Rothera Goes Live on Smartstream’s Air to Automate High-Volume Derivatives Reconciliations6.10.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Smartstream, the trusted data solutions provider for leading global financial institutions and enterprises, today announced that Rothera, the U.S.-based CFTC-regulated event contract market, has gone live on Smartstream’s Air. Rothera has deployed Smartstream’s Cash and Data modules to automate high-volume derivatives reconciliations across its CFTC-regulated exchange and clearinghouse business. As transaction volumes on the exchange grew, Rothera sought to scale and automate its existing reconciliation processes to support greater operational efficiency and robust audit controls. To support this growth, Rothera selected Air’s Cash and Data modules as a new implementation. The AI-powered platform ingests, matches, and reconciles high-volume data flows with minimal manual intervention, providing a fully audited environment aligned with regulatory obligations of a CFTC-regulated venue. Following an initial go-live for two data reconciliations: Exchange-to-Clearing Instruments and Exchang
Convatec Survey Challenges Assumptions About Leakage in Ostomy Care6.10.2026 10:00:00 EEST | Press release
Convatec, a leading medical products and technologies company focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, today released Rethinking leakage in ostomy care, new international research highlighting a significant gap in how peristomal skin health is understood and managed in ostomy care. The findings indicate that skin health plays a critical role in preventing leakage, and supporting confidence in daily life, yet remains widely under-recognised in routine care. For many people, leakage is not only a clinical or product issue; it can shape whether they feel able to travel, exercise, socialise or take part fully in everyday life. More than half of respondents said they avoid such activities due to worry about their ostomy. The results of the survey, which included more than 1,800 people living with an ostomy and over 400 healthcare professionals, point to a significant opportunity to improve outcomes through greater focus on peristomal skin health, the specific area of s
Oulu2026 Boosts Tourism as Björk, Art and Technology Lead the European Capital of Culture Year’s Finale6.10.2026 10:00:00 EEST | Press release
The Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme has attracted visitors to northern Finland and contributed to strong tourism growth. According to Visit Oulu statistics, Oulu recorded nearly 475,000 registered overnight stays between January and August 2026, an increase of 12 per cent year on year. International overnight stays rose by 21 per cent to more than 96,600, while domestic overnight stays increased by 9 per cent. The trend continued in August, when international overnight stays grew by almost 29 per cent year on year. Hundreds of events combining art, technology, science, music, theatre and sport continue throughout the final months of 2026. “The programme’s diversity is clearest in the final months. There is something for culture enthusiasts and families alike, with experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. If ever there was a time to visit Oulu, it is now,” says Samu Forsblom, Programme Director of Oulu2026. A major highlight is the Lumo Art & Tech Festival, taking
Ant International and HSBC Expand Real-Time Treasury Management Services to the Middle East6.10.2026 09:30:00 EEST | Press release
Ant International today announced an expanded collaboration with HSBC to enhance real-time treasury management services in the Middle East. By leveraging HSBC’s global Tokenised Deposit Service (TDS), Ant International aims to improve the efficiency of its treasury operations across the region. As part of the collaboration, Ant International has successfully completed pilot transactions across two payment corridors connecting the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong: Intra-UAE dirham transfers: Real-time, dirham-denominated tokenised deposit transactions within the UAE. Cross-border US dollar payments initiated from the UAE: US dollar-denominated tokenised deposit transfers between the UAE and international markets, including Hong Kong and Singapore. These transactions were initiated via WhaleRTP – Ant International’s proprietary, blockchain-based real-time treasury management platform – and executed in real-time through HSBC’s TDS. Ant International and HSBC jointly designed the transac
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