By Patricia Costa,
Publication Date: 2026-02-25 16:45:00
Even though the Olympics have just wrapped up, I still find myself thinking about the grace and precision of ice dancing. That’s probably why this video of German manufacturer SEW’s new factory reminds me so much of the sport. Like skaters, the autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) gliding through SEW’s plant in Brumath, France needs to follow precise choreography. And on the factory floor as on the ice, a single misstep can have major consequences. Think line stoppages, collisions, and other safety issues.
SEW is a leading manufacturer of drive systems and automation technology. For its smart factory in Brumath, the company needed ultra-reliable connectivity for the AGVs that transport materials throughout the production process. While Wi-Fi performs well for factory IT devices like tablets and programmable logic controllers, it isn’t designed to deliver uninterrupted connectivity to mobile robots roaming between coverage zones. A brief lapse while the connection is handed…
