Cyngn’s DriveMod Tugger Boosts Coats’ Efficiency

Sign up for our weekly emails to stay up to date on the latest news!

Cyngn Inc., a leader in autonomous vehicle technology, has successfully deployed its DriveMod Tugger at Coats Company’s manufacturing facility in La Vergne, Tennessee. This 150,000+ square foot plant, operated by North America’s largest full-line wheel service equipment manufacturer, now benefits from automated material transport, streamlining operations and enhancing productivity. The deployment, fully operational since its initiation in January, showcases how Cyngn’s technology addresses labor shortages and efficiency challenges in the automotive manufacturing sector.

Key Highlights:

Labor Savings: The DriveMod Tugger has freed over 500 hours of labor, allowing workers to focus on higher-value tasks.
Seamless Integration: Coats employees have embraced the Tugger for its consistent and reliable material delivery.
Safety and Efficiency: The autonomous vehicle ensures safe, secure, and efficient transport of wheel service components.
Industry Demand: The automotive sector is a top adopter of industrial robotics, with Cyngn meeting the need for intelligent automation.
Scalable Solutions: The DriveMod Tugger hauls up to 12,000 lbs and offers a payback period of less than two years.

Transforming Manufacturing with Automation

At Coats’ Tennessee facility, the DriveMod Tugger automates the movement of wheel service components across production lines. This reduces the need for manual hauling, which previously consumed significant labor hours. By integrating seamlessly into daily operations, the Tugger has become a reliable “team member,” as noted by Steven Finley, Coats’ VP of Operations. Finley praised the vehicle’s consistency, stating, “It does what you want it to do over and over again,” enabling better planning and execution of tasks.

The deployment aligns with the automotive industry’s growing reliance on automation. In 2023, the sector ranked among the top adopters of industrial robotics, driven by the need to move heavy parts efficiently across manufacturing floors. Cyngn’s DriveMod Tugger meets this demand by offering a scalable, cost-effective solution that requires no major infrastructure changes.

Why Coats Chose Cyngn’s DriveMod Tugger

Coats, with over 70 years of expertise, sought a solution to enhance manufacturing efficiency while addressing labor shortages and safety concerns. The DriveMod Tugger delivers on these fronts, hauling up to 12,000 lbs and operating both indoors and outdoors. Its ease of implementation has made it a natural fit for Coats’ operations. Finley noted, “The people here enjoy working with it — it’s safe, it’s secure, it’s efficient.”

The Tugger’s ability to provide consistent material delivery has transformed workflows, allowing employees to focus on tasks that add greater value to the production process. With a typical payback period of less than two years, the Tugger offers a compelling return on investment for manufacturers seeking to optimize operations.

Cyngn’s Role in Industrial Automation

Cyngn specializes in developing autonomous vehicle technology for industrial organizations, addressing challenges like labor shortages and costly safety incidents. The DriveMod platform, available on vehicles like the Motrec MT-160 Tugger and BYD Forklift, empowers companies to adopt self-driving technology without high upfront costs. The Tugger’s deployment at Coats demonstrates its ability to deliver immediate efficiency gains in real-world settings.

For manufacturers looking to stay competitive, Cyngn’s solutions offer flexibility and scalability. The company’s focus on automation aligns with the automotive sector’s push for faster, safer, and more efficient production processes.

To learn more about the DriveMod Tugger, visit cyngn.com/vehicles/autonomous-tugger.

Looking Ahead

The successful deployment at Coats underscores Cyngn’s ability to meet the evolving needs of industrial organizations. As automation continues to reshape manufacturing, solutions like the DriveMod Tugger provide a blueprint for achieving operational excellence. By reducing manual labor and enhancing workflow consistency, Cyngn is helping companies like Coats unlock new levels of productivity and efficiency.