5 in 5 with Theresa from cellumation
In our latest podcast "Logistics Solutions – 5 Questions in 5 Minutes," we talk to Theresa Gröniger, Head of Marketing & Business Development at Cellumation, about their innovative solutions and the challenges in the logistics industry. Cellumation has developed a modular and patented conveyor technology that is revolutionizing intralogistics.
Theresa Gröniger, Head of Marketing & Business Development at Cellumation, discussing innovative conveyor technologies.Listen to the episode here or continue reading the blog to find out the answers to the five key questions.
1. Briefly describe your company and product.
Cellumation, founded in 2017 by Dr. Hendrik Thamer & Claudio Uriarte, is a technology company that invented the unique, modular, and patented conveyor technology called celluveyor. Hexagonal robotic cells, each equipped with three omnidirectional wheels arranged in a triangle, can flexibly form different surfaces depending on the application. A 3D camera above the surface detects incoming objects and relays the information to intelligent software, which then translates the visual data into action commands for each omnidirectional wheel. This allows for various complex conveyor movements on the same surface.
2. What problem do you solve?
For the past 120 years, conveyor technology has fundamentally remained unchanged, based on principles over a century old. While roller conveyors have been refined with sensors, cameras, and other components, the core technology persists. Complex movements beyond straight lines often require space-intensive component chains. Intralogistics faces significant challenges: increasing shipping volumes pressure existing material flows, space for new logistics centers is scarce and municipalities are reluctant to allocate land for logistics purposes, and a demographic shift makes other jobs more attractive, leading to a labor shortage. Automation is necessary to address these issues, both in new (greenfield) and existing (brownfield) facilities. The celluveyor meets these needs with its modular, easily integrable technology.
3. What are your USPs?
The triangular arrangement of the wheels enables 360° movements. Additionally, our camera control allows for parallel movement of objects, saving space while maintaining high throughput. This ensures that all objects leave the celluveyor in the desired orientation without additional components. The flexible design allows the celluveyor to adapt to customer needs and conveyor tasks individually. Simple interfaces enable quick integration into all material flows.
4. Provide a specific application example or success story that illustrates how your solution works in practice.
We are proud that celluveyors are now in use worldwide. The most impressive example is a cv.DEPAL at Covivins in Belgium. Together with system integrator Ceratec, we integrated this system at the entrance of a high-bay warehouse, where all incoming pallet layers are separated on less than 3 square meters and directed to two different exits depending on the tipping factor. Compared to its market counterparts, the cv.DEPAL is 95% smaller. The remaining 57 square meters were used for other logistics tasks.
5. What future developments or trends do you see in the logistics industry, and how are you preparing for them as a company?
Trends vary globally: In Germany, Austria, and parts of Europe, retrofitting will be the focus for logistics enthusiasts in the coming years. In America and Asia, new constructions will continue. Technology manufacturers must adapt to these trends. The labor shortage will intensify, increasing the pressure for automation. The future will be exciting for innovative technologies that can communicate with the old world.
