Formic Transport Systems

Company: Formic
Sector: Engineering
Founded: 2023
Inspired by Ants

Formic GmbH

The idea

FORMIC develops modular transport systems that safely lift and move loads weighing several tonnes and of bulky dimensions. The system, inspired by ants, operates as a swarm and is controlled by a single person via remote control.

In industry, moving machinery and heavy loads often involves a great deal of physical effort and improvisation. FORMIC solves this problem through swarm intelligence: several small, flat transport modules are remotely guided to the load and lift it together. The vehicles determine their exact position and orientation relative to one another and move the machine with millimetre precision.

Go to Formic Website

FACTS

Funding: Exist, Junge Innovatoren and Helmholtz Spin-off
System payload: Up to 75 tonnes maximum system payload thanks to the high-performance formic b50 vehicles
Efficiency: Just one person is needed to control the entire transport system for the heaviest loads

USP

What makes Formic so unique?

The system can manoeuvre in the tightest of spaces, is highly flexible and scalable. The individual vehicles can be arranged freely to handle different loads and can move up to 75 tonnes (FORMIC B50). Another key USP is the company’s proprietary sensors, which detect critical situations and trigger an immediate emergency stop.

The product portfolio has been successfully expanded to cover various weight classes, including the current FORMIC C35 and FORMIC B50 models, which are in continuous use by customers.

THE STORY OF HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The foundations were laid at KIT

The foundations were laid at KIT, where Dr. Benedikt Klee and Dr. Maximilian Hochstein conducted research at the wbk Institute for Production Engineering and the IFL Institute for Conveyor Technology and Logistics Systems. The idea behind FORMIC quickly met with a great response and was awarded Helmholtz funding for the 14-month spin-off phase. The spin-off was also supported by the EXIST start-up grant and the Young Innovators Programme, and received strategic guidance from the KIT Start-up Incubator. Furthermore, the team was recognised as a Helmholtz spin-off.

This close and successful collaboration is still evident today in joint public appearances: FORMIC’s impressive transport robots have already been in live use twice at the KIT Innovators Homecoming and proved to be an absolute hit with the audience on both occasions. In a joint ZIM research project, FORMIC is currently working with the IFL Institute for Conveyor Technology and Logistics Systems on automated formation driving.

The people of Karlsruhe have also had the chance to experience first-hand how the swarm behaves in reality: the FORMIC system has already been deployed several times to transport the spectacular wooden pavilion “Komorebi” on Kronenplatz. There, the vehicles impressively demonstrated how loads weighing several tonnes can be moved even in urban areas and on uneven ground.

“One challenge follows another. And even though it can be difficult and exhausting at times, setting up our own start-up has never been boring.”

Dr.-Ing. Maximilian Hochstein

Co-Founder

CHALLENGES

The biggest challenges in the startup process

SUPPLY CHAIN CRISES: In part, long delivery times and rising component prices due to global events such as the war in Ukraine.

COMPLEX HARDWARE: ‘Fail fast’ is difficult when developing complex physical machines; mistakes are costly.

PRODUCT SAFETY: Ensuring high safety standards when transporting loads weighing several tonnes.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND ONINO