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No. 36 Squadron RAAF (36 SQN) has opted for two international outfits – Japan’s Konica Minolta and Denmark’s MiR – to deliver an innovative new automation solution incorporated into their logistics operations.
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Operating out of RAAF Amberley, the new MiR200 was introduced at 36 SQN as phase one of an innovation program to automate the manual movement of aircraft parts from the logistics section to the technician. Nicknamed SARAH – short for Supply Assistance Robot, Autonomous Hardware – the robot was acquired by RAAF Amberley Squadron Leader Evan Smith as a way to "free up the team's time to focus on tasks that they as intelligent, trained, highly experienced people can do, and let a robot do the mindless manual handling tasks".
“36 SQN was interested in exploring whether there were ways to simplify or automate this task to free up the team’s time for higher value tasks and let a robot do the mindless manual handling tasks,” he said.
At the time, SQNLDR Smith reached out to Plan Jericho, a strategy designed to transform the RAAF by capitalising on future high technology systems. The proposal laid out the vision for automated delivery of parts and equipment, phasing it from the simplest part of the problem to the end-state complete vision, resulting in two-thirds of phase one being funded by Plan Jericho.
Martin Keetels, national manager of robotics and innovation, Konica Minolta, said, “The 36 SQN was looking for innovative ways to be safer and more efficient. MiR introduces efficiencies by automating a simple part of the supply chain to free up people to do what only people can do.
"SARAH now travels 850 metres a day on average, fulfilling 20 missions. She’s also reducing the risk of injury from lifting and pushing heavy parts.
"The cost benefit analysis has shown savings of more than $27,000 per year. Plus, the team is learning new transferable skills through working with artificial intelligence (AI) creating a real buzz around innovation."
Another unexpected benefit is that SARAH has assisted the team with social distancing.
David Cooke, managing director, Konica Minolta Australia, said, “Konica Minolta has enjoyed an exceptional relationship with Defence over many years. From this we know that RAAF has a strong culture of innovation and transformation. Konica Minolta is proud to offer this solution to the 36 SQN, which is delivering tangible, measurable benefits.”
