Siemens, ETG & RMGroup Launch UK’s First AMR Hub
Siemens has teamed up with Expert Technologies Group and RMGroup to launch the UK’s first fully customizable autonomous mobile robot (AMR) manufacturing hub. Together, they bring SIMOVE software and FlexDrive platforms into domestic production, giving manufacturers flexible, connected intralogistics automation built in the UK.
This move lets UK manufacturers specify, configure, and deploy AMRs built locally and integrated right into their existing automation environments. By aligning Siemens’ digital control architecture with local engineering and manufacturing, the partnership helps speed up implementation and boost adaptable intralogistics performance across production and warehouse operations.
Juergen Maier, Vice President of Industrial Automation at Siemens UK & Ireland, says, “This partnership brings together digitalization, automation, and UK engineering expertise to give manufacturers access to fully customizable AMR solutions built right here in the UK.”
He continues, “By combining Siemens SIMOVE with local design and manufacturing, we’re enabling faster deployment and greater flexibility for UK industry.”
SIMOVE Software Drives Safety
At the heart of the solution is Siemens’ SIMOVE software, integrated with the FlexDrive AMR platform. SIMOVE manages navigation, fleet orchestration, and safety controls, letting robots operate in facilities where layouts and workflows can change.
The system uses laser scanners to calculate braking distances and adjust dynamic safety fields in real time. As AMRs move through shared spaces, SIMOVE adjusts speed zones based on surrounding activity. Predictive field switching slows vehicles as they enter warning zones, instead of relying only on fixed emergency stop triggers.
Juergen notes, “SIMOVE uses intelligent safety fields that adapt in real time, ensuring safe and efficient navigation even in complex factory environments.”
FlexDrive supports configurable payload modules and navigation parameters tailored to specific intralogistics needs. Integrated e-stops and signaling systems meet UK compliance standards. Manufacturers can define transport specifications based on material type, route complexity, and how their operations flow.
By combining configurable hardware with software-defined safety controls, the partnership distinguishes its platform apart from fixed-configuration AMRs that depend on static operating parameters.
Expert Technologies Group Integration
Expert Technologies Group leads system integration, embedding SIMOVE-managed AMRs into existing plant infrastructure. It connects robots to production control systems, enabling task allocation and traffic management to be coordinated across sites.
John Vickers, Managing Director at Expert Technologies Group, says, “Working with Siemens lets us deliver a complete AMR solution that integrates seamlessly into existing manufacturing operations.”
He continues, “Manufacturers need systems that connect with their current processes, and this partnership ensures that AMRs become part of the wider automation strategy.”
Fleet coordination runs through SIMOVE, which supports map uploads and configuration via WiFi connectivity. In facilities where interference or latency affects performance, 5G infrastructure expands capability.
Ultra-low latency lets AMRs recalculate paths and fuse sensor data on the fly, so they can adjust to production changes in real time. High bandwidth supports HD video streaming and AI model updates, enabling instant navigation adjustments. Network slicing separates safety, telemetry, and customization data streams, reducing congestion on connected devices.
For FlexDrive AMRs, 5G connectivity lets them operate in layout-free environments. When production lines shift, robots get updated instructions right away, so facilities can modify workflows as demand or products change.
RMGroup Enables UK Production
RMGroup supplies domestic manufacturing capability, assembling and configuring AMRs within the UK. Local production lets customers define system specifications that fit their site requirements and compliance frameworks.
Richard Allen, Managing Director at RMGroup, says, “Manufacturing these AMRs in the UK gives customers more control over specification, delivery, and ongoing support.”
He continues, “By building locally, we can respond quickly to changing requirements and support customers throughout the system’s lifecycle.
The partnership offers financial services, including leasing options that reduce upfront capital spending. This structure helps manufacturers scale fleets and roll out safety or software updates as their needs change.
As facilities expand or reconfigure, additional AMRs can join SIMOVE-managed fleets without restructuring the control environment. Software coordinates routing and task execution across all units, keeping material flow steady throughout production and warehouse operations.
By bringing together Siemens’ digital automation platform, Expert Technologies Group’s integration expertise, and RMGroup’s UK manufacturing infrastructure, the partnership creates a localized AMR ecosystem. SIMOVE’s adaptive safety algorithms, FlexDrive’s configurable architecture, and 5G connectivity position the platform for manufacturers looking for connected, software-defined intralogistics systems built and supported in the UK.
Authored by: Stella Nolan is the Editor of American Healthcare Leader and Modern Counsel Magazine and a regular contributor to Manufacturing Today, all published by Finelight Media Group. With over a decade of experience in senior editorial roles, Stella creates commercially savvy, engaging content for global brands. Based in the UK, she brings sector expertise and compelling storytelling to topics like digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, EV infrastructure, and the impact of AI on industry. Stella’s focus includes DEI, AI, procurement, and telecoms, where she profiles industry leaders and curates essential features for in-house counsel and healthcare professionals.
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