Leading technology company Siemens has partnered with Expert Technologies Group and RMGroup to manufacture the UK's first fully customisable autonomous mobile robots.
The collaboration represents a strategically important milestone for UK industrial automation, creating the first comprehensive end-to-end solution for autonomous mobile robotics that will enable manufacturers to boost productivity and efficiency at their sites.
The robots are designed to help factories and warehouses move materials around more easily, without the need for fixed tracks or heavy infrastructure. Built in the UK, the robots can be adapted to suit different tasks, industries and environments, giving manufacturers a flexible, scalable solution to improve productivity.
Unlike traditional automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) offer intelligent, infrastructure-light mobility powered by onboard sensors, making them effective at moving materials in dynamic industrial environments.
Typical uses for AMRs include moving components between workstations, transporting finished goods to storage areas, or supplying materials to production lines. The robots can safely navigate busy factory floors, avoid obstacles in real time, and adapt to changes in layout or workload – helping manufacturers streamline operations, reduce manual handling, and respond more quickly to shifts in demand.
Working alongside Expert Technologies Group, a specialist robotics technology provider for industries like aerospace and automotive, and RMGroup, a leading UK robotics integrator for the food and drink, intralogistics and construction sectors, Siemens’ technology is enabling fully customisable robotics manufacturing here in the UK.
Brian Holliday, Managing Director for Siemens in the UK & Ireland, said: "This partnership demonstrates how UK-led innovation can deliver the advanced manufacturing technology our industry desperately needs. By supporting UK manufacturers with locally developed, fully customisable solutions, we're showing that collaboration is essential to driving the digitalisation of British industry. Together with RM Group and Expert Technology Group, we’re building the foundation for intelligent, autonomous operations that will help businesses be more productive through better, more reliable factory logistics, and help keep UK manufacturing competitive on the global stage."
The Siemens-led solution leverages its SIMOVE technology to deliver scalable, hyperflexible AMRs, that can be modified to adapt to the needs of each facility, supporting everything from autonomous logistics and warehouse management to real-time data collection for digital twin simulations.
Expert Technology Group's FlexDrive AMR platform, built on Siemens SIMOVE core control systems, offers full flexibility with drive platforms and features advanced navigation options including path planning, obstacle avoidance, and real-time dynamic positioning.
RMGroup's solution harnesses Siemens laser-based navigation software, to deliver both conventional track-based and true free navigation capabilities, featuring wireless safety technology with real-time location-based safety zones.
James Nicholls, Operations & Commercial Director at RMGroup, said: "Innovation has always been a key part of our business, and this partnership with Siemens represents exactly the type of strategic collaboration that enables us to deliver game-changing solutions. We've seen too many AGV and AMR implementations fail due to inadequate support or integration issues with overseas engineering teams. This collaboration tackles that problem head-on by creating a truly UK-made, UK-supported end-to-end solution that our customers can rely on."
Paul Fletcher, Senior Manager at Expert Technologies Group said: "Our FlexDrive AMR platform, powered by Siemens technology, represents a fundamental shift in how UK manufacturers can approach autonomous mobile robotics. Rather than forcing businesses to adapt to rigid, off-the-shelf solutions, we're creating hyperflexible platforms that adapt to their needs. This partnership gives us the scalability and technical foundation to support everything from small-scale deployments to enterprise fleets of one hundred plus robots."
The partnership also maximises collaboration with Siemens Financial Services – the B2B financing arm of Siemens – supporting customers with tailored financing solutions for both internal innovation and end-user investment.
The latest real-world applications of groundbreaking technologies like this will be showcased at Transform 2026, where thousands of industry leaders, technology experts and policymakers will convene at Manchester Central to explore the future of digital and sustainable transformation. Hosted by Siemens, the free-to-attend two-day conference and exhibition will take place on July 15th and 16th.
To register for Transform, visit: https://www.siemens.com/en-us/events/transform/uk-ireland/?stc=ukcg200659
