Ciborius Alternative Robotics: acting as a system integrator

When looking for a Ciborius alternative in the field of robotics, it is crucial to understand the underlying business model. Many providers on the market act as classic service providers or resellers of individual brands. werob, on the other hand, is the largest system integrator for robotics in Europe. This means: werob does not build its own robots and is not tied to a single manufacturer. Instead, werob translates an operator's specific workflows into a usable robot specification.

This approach is fundamentally different from conventional models. While a service provider often supplements staff with technology, werob creates a technological infrastructure that is seamlessly integrated into the existing operation. With over 200 robots in live operation and a presence in countries such as Germany, France and the UK, werob has the experience necessary to manage complex fleets. The goal is not to sell a machine, but to ensure a measurable result. The commercial model is therefore geared towards success: you only pay when the robot is running productively. This outcome-only strategy eliminates the financial risk often associated with introducing new technologies.

A key pain point when implementing robotics is the needs analysis phase. In traditional consulting, this process often takes three to six months and results in extensive discovery decks with no immediate operational benefit. werob breaks this cycle with the Spec Engine. This tool converts the descriptions of your daily workflows into a technical specification within 48 hours. The engine was trained on the basis of over 35,000 projects and recognizes precisely what requirements must be placed on the hardware, sensors and software interfaces.

Whether it is about the medication round in nursing or the yard patrol in logistics: The Spec Engine defines the exact action graph of the robot. This massively shortens the time until the first offer. While other providers are still in the analysis phase, werob delivers a concrete offer after just five days that is based on real data and requirements. This speed advantage is crucial for companies that suffer from an acute shortage of skilled workers and need immediate relief. The specification serves as a binding document for all further steps in the integration process.

A critical disadvantage of many providers is the so-called vendor lock-in. Anyone who commits to a service provider that only represents one or two brands is dependent on their technological development. werob follows a consistently hardware-agnostic approach. There are over 44 OEM partners in the current catalog, including well-known manufacturers such as Boston Dynamics, Keenon, Pudu, Apptronik and Unitree. A total of over 280 different robot models can be maneuvered and can be tested against your specific requirements.

Werob's Supplier Match process compares the specification created with the performance data of all available robots. Not only technical parameters such as load capacity or battery life are taken into account, but also suitability for specific environments such as HACCP-compliant zones in food processing or uneven terrain outdoors. Through this diversity, werob ensures that the best available technology is always used for the respective application. If a manufacturer has delivery problems or a model does not provide the desired performance, the platform enables a quick change within the ecosystem without having to set up the entire integration again.

A robot that works in isolation from the rest of the systems often creates more work than it saves. True efficiency only comes from deep integration into the existing software landscape. werob offers prefabricated connectors that enable direct communication between the robot and leading systems. These include integrations with PointClickCare and MatrixCare for the care sector, Opera PMS and Mews for the hotel industry, and SAP EWM for logistics. Systems such as Toast and Lightspeed are also supported in the F&B area.

These connectors ensure that the robot receives its orders directly from the system in which the staff already works. An example from the hotel industry: If a guest orders an additional pillow via the PMS, this order is automatically transmitted to the room service robot. Staff do not have to operate a separate app or program the robot manually. This automation of the chain of command is the prerequisite for the cost reductions realized by werob, such as €112,000 per location and year in hotel room service or €92,000 in medication rounds in nursing care. The integration takes place according to the highest security standards such as ISO 27001 and IEC 62443.

The legal framework for the use of robotics in Europe is becoming massively tighter. A central aspect that every Ciborius alternative must address is the new EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230. This will become binding from January 20, 2027 and places high demands on conformity assessment, especially for imports from Asian OEMs. werob has already firmly integrated this compliance path into its platform. As local system integrator werob assumes responsibility for compliance with these regulatory requirements.

In addition to the machine regulations, werob takes into account industry-specific rules such as ISO 13482 for service robots in direct contact with people, the BewachVO for security applications or HACCP standards in the catering industry. Conformity with home supervision is also ensured in care. Without this regulatory protection, operators risk high fines and the immediate stoppage of their fleet if an inspection occurs. werob offers a legally secure framework that allows companies to concentrate on their core business while technological compliance is monitored in the background by the cockpit.

Robotics is not an end in itself, but must be economically viable. werob works with hard numbers instead of vague adjectives. The experience from over 200 live systems shows clear savings potential. In care, the automation of the medication round leads to an annual cost reduction of €92,000 per location. Simply transporting laundry or waste saves a further €71,000. These sums arise from the release of skilled workers from repetitive, non-value-adding activities.

The effects are similarly significant in logistics and facility management. An autonomous yard patrol saves the budget by around €68,000 per year, while automated cleaning of kitchen floors in the catering industry saves €44,000. A particularly strong example is the use of tray robots in the dishwashing chamber of commercial kitchens, which costs €76,000. Since we follow an outcome-only model, these savings are directly noticeable without high initial investments burdening the balance sheet. Customers like Korian Germany were able to achieve double-digit cost savings in the first year.

As soon as the robots are in use, the werob Cockpit takes over the monitoring and control of the fleet. This central management tool provides a four-dimensional traffic light system that displays the status of hardware, infrastructure, regulatory and specification compliance in real time. If a malfunction occurs, it is immediately identified and categorized. This allows for a quick response, often before on-site staff even notices the problem. The cockpit is the operational level that ensures that the promised results are achieved over the long term.

In addition, the cockpit provides detailed reports on the utilization and efficiency of the robots. This data is essential for the continuous optimization of work processes. For example, if a robot is used in a hotel to prepare the bar (saving approx. €54,000), the cockpit shows exactly at which times there is the highest occupancy and where adjustments in the action graph may be necessary. This transparency creates trust and is the basis for scaling individual locations into Europe-wide fleets with the goal of 2,000 robots by 2028.

The path to automation with werob is standardized and designed for speed. The process begins with an eight-step intake procedure. Information about shift operation, the type of tasks, the structural infrastructure and regulatory requirements is collected. The Spec Engine creates the technical requirements profile within 48 hours. After five days a binding offer is available. Once the decision has been made, the eight-week implementation phase begins.

During this time, the connectors are configured, the hardware is prepared and the regulatory checks are completed. In week eight, the robot rolls onto the site and begins operation. This tight schedule is only possible because werob can rely on ready-made modules and an extensive database. While conventional projects often fail due to individual adjustments or missing interfaces, werob uses proven standards. The result is a quick payback and immediate relief for the workforce, as has already been successfully demonstrated in numerous facilities, including a nursing facility in Hamburg with the first humanoid pilot in week 12.

The decision for a Ciborius alternative in the field of robotics should be based on technical competence, integration capability and economic security. werob combines these aspects in a unique platform. Hardware agnostics allow you to remain flexible and always benefit from the latest innovations on the market. The deep software integrations ensure that the robots become an integral part of your processes and not just function as technical toys. With the focus on the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230, werob also offers the necessary future security for investments in Europe.

The commercial model underlines werob's claim as a partner on an equal footing: success is only rewarded when it occurs. For operations directors and facility managers, this means maximum planning security with minimal risk. Anyone who dares to take the step into robotics today is laying the foundation for competitiveness in the years to come. With werob at your side as a system integrator, this transition will be made efficient, safe and measurably successful.