Siemens Partnership Brings Fully Customisable Autonomous Mobile Robot Manufacturing to the UK

Siemens, in collaboration with Expert Technologies Group and RMGroup, has launched the UK's first fully customisable autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) manufacturing capability. This pioneering partnership marks a significant milestone for UK industrial automation, offering manufacturers a flexible, scalable solution to enhance productivity and streamline material handling processes.

A Milestone in UK Industrial Automation

The collaboration between Siemens, Expert Technologies Group, and RMGroup represents a groundbreaking achievement in autonomous mobile robotics. The UK-made AMRs are designed to revolutionize factory and warehouse operations by providing a versatile alternative to traditional automated guided vehicles (AGVs). By eliminating the need for fixed tracks and heavy infrastructure, these AMRs offer industries a more adaptable and efficient way to move materials in dynamic environments.

This project showcases Siemens' commitment to driving innovation in factory automation, allowing manufacturers to increase operational flexibility while reducing manual handling and downtime. The fully customisable nature of these robots ensures that manufacturers can tailor them to specific tasks, making them ideal for a wide range of industrial sectors, from aerospace and automotive to food and drink.

How Customisable AMRs Enhance Factory Automation

Unlike traditional AGVs, which rely on fixed infrastructure, the newly developed AMRs are equipped with advanced onboard sensors and AI technology. This allows them to navigate dynamically changing environments without the need for pre-established paths. AMRs can perform a variety of tasks, such as transporting raw materials between workstations, delivering finished goods to storage areas, or supplying production lines with necessary materials.

Moreover, these robots can adapt to changes in factory layout or workload, making them a perfect fit for industries experiencing fluctuating demands. By streamlining material flow and minimizing human intervention, AMRs help manufacturers achieve higher productivity, faster response times, and more efficient resource utilization.

Collaboration to Deliver a UK-Made Solution

This innovation is made possible through the collaboration between Siemens, Expert Technologies Group, and RMGroup, each bringing specialized expertise to the project. Siemens’ SIMOVE technology provides the backbone for the robots' advanced control systems, ensuring scalability and flexibility. Expert Technologies Group contributes with its FlexDrive AMR platform, designed for maximum adaptability across various applications. Meanwhile, RMGroup enhances the solution with its expertise in laser-based navigation, providing precise, real-time positioning and obstacle avoidance.

Brian Holliday, Managing Director of Siemens UK & Ireland, emphasized the importance of this partnership for UK manufacturing: "This collaboration shows how UK-led innovation can address the challenges faced by manufacturers. By providing locally developed, fully customisable solutions, we’re not only supporting UK manufacturers but also strengthening the competitiveness of the UK manufacturing sector on the global stage."

Addressing Key Challenges for Manufacturers

According to industry experts, one of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today is the need for more adaptable and scalable automation solutions. Traditional AGVs are often limited by their fixed infrastructure, making them unsuitable for fast-changing environments. The flexibility of the new AMRs addresses this issue, providing manufacturers with a solution that can evolve as their operational needs change.

Additionally, the ability to integrate these AMRs with Siemens’ real-time data collection capabilities enables manufacturers to create accurate digital twin simulations, improving predictive maintenance and optimizing production processes. This integration ensures that AMRs are not just a tool for material transport but also a key component in broader digital transformation strategies.

The Future of AMRs: A UK-Based Manufacturing Advantage

This partnership also offers a unique benefit to UK manufacturers: local production and support. Many previous AMR and AGV implementations have faced challenges due to integration issues and the lack of local engineering support. The collaboration between Siemens, Expert Technologies Group, and RMGroup ensures that UK manufacturers will have access to locally engineered solutions, minimizing the risk of integration failures and maximizing the reliability of the robots.

Paul Fletcher, Senior Manager at Expert Technologies Group, noted, "The FlexDrive AMR platform, powered by Siemens technology, represents a shift in how UK manufacturers can approach autonomous mobile robotics. We’re creating flexible platforms that can scale from small deployments to large fleets, ensuring that our customers get the right solution for their needs."

Showcasing Innovation at Transform 2026

The practical applications of these advanced AMRs will be showcased at Transform 2026, a key industry event where Siemens will demonstrate the latest innovations in industrial automation and digital transformation. This free-to-attend conference will bring together industry leaders, technology experts, and policymakers to explore the future of manufacturing.

Author's Insight:
The UK’s first fully customisable AMRs are a game-changer for industrial automation. With their ability to adapt to different environments and tasks, these robots offer a level of flexibility that traditional AGVs simply cannot match. This collaboration highlights the growing importance of local innovation and support in the automation sector. As more manufacturers turn to robotics for solutions, the UK’s industrial automation landscape is set to become even more competitive on the global stage.