By integrating smart automation, Continental is trying to make manual production processes more ergonomic while boosting efficiency in tire manufacturing.
(GlobeNewswire)
MISSISSAUGA — At Continental’s ContiLifeCycle (CLC) retreading plant for truck and bus tires in Hanover-Stöcken, seven autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have reportedly been in operation since March 2025. By integrating smart automation, Continental is trying to make manual production processes more ergonomic while boosting efficiency in tire manufacturing.
“Self-driving robots have been supporting our production workflow for six months now,” said Felix Hantelmann, head of the ContiLifeCycle plant. “They handle simple, repetitive transport tasks such as moving a tire from one point to another. The robots are directly connected to our digital order system, so they know exactly where to go and how to coordinate with each other to get there. They are a valuable addition to our daily operations and help create a safe, efficient and ergonomically optimized production environment.”
The robots reportedly navigate independently and safely through the production hall using advanced sensors, 360-degree camera systems and AI-based control technology.
In a press release, Continental Tire Canada, Inc. stated that the hot-retreading workflow is as follows:
A handling robot transfers the buffed tire carcass to the tire-building machine, where – depending on tire size – it is fitted with up to 18 kilograms of fresh rubber heated to about 100°C for the tread and sidewalls.
Once the tread and sidewall have been applied, the handling robot places the tire on a transport trolley. An autonomous mobile robot, connected to the digital order system, then moves the trolley either to the curing press or to an intermediate storage area, depending on capacity.
In the curing press, the roughly 75-kilogram tire is vulcanized at 160°C, giving it its final shape and tread pattern. It is then transferred via a conveyor belt to quality control.
“Our employees no longer have to carry tires across the hall, which means less physical strain for them. Instead, they can focus on more demanding tasks like machine operation and quality control,” says Hantelmann. Before the robots were introduced, employees reportedly transported tires manually using cranes and trolleys that weighed up to 250 kilograms when loaded with two tires.