Patrick McGarry is a Commissioning Technician for Oceaneering Mobile Robotics (OMR) in Orlando, Florida. OMR solves operational challenges and optimizes material handling and logistics with mobile robots that integrate autonomous technology.
In his role, Patrick installs mobile robots at customer sites. He’s currently commissioning a fleet of counterbalance forklifts known as the MaxMover™ CB D 2000. The Max Mover™ is designed for use across warehouse logistics, manufacturing operations, distribution centers, and assembly lines. It can support a variety of loads up to 4400 lb. (2000 kg) and with its zero-turn pivot capability, can maneuver successfully in tight spaces.
The commissioning process explained
“I make sure the vehicles know where they are going and what they need to do in a live production facility. When you start a project, it seems insurmountable, all these vehicles driving around, interacting with each other in this huge factory. It’s fulfilling to see the robot do its job.”
Depending on the size of the fleet, the commissioning process can take several months. His current assignment involves the installation of 21 vehicles with routing across 248 stations. Stations are where the robots are programmed to go and perform tasks including picking up and dropping off materials.
“When the robots arrive onsite, they are red tagged until we perform testing and safety inspections. If someone steps in front of a moving vehicle, it is programmed to stop and only progress once the path is clear.”
After inspection, the vehicles are yellow tagged, meaning they are ready to use in the customer’s facility, but must have human escort to and from stations.
“At this point, we begin site acceptance testing, which is basically running missions. The vehicles perform tasks in the actual production environment. Once we’ve reached a contractually agreed upon success rate and the customer is satisfied, the robots receive green tags, and they are ready for autonomous use in the facility. The job is done, and we move on to the next site.”
Time for change
Patrick is a 30-year field electrician who, prior to joining Oceaneering, worked at Walt Disney World for 17 years as a ride show technician. After achieving his career goals, he decided to seek new challenges.
He discovered Oceaneering through a recruiting agency and started as a 90-day temp for Oceaneering Entertainment Systems (OES) in 2023. He went through training, worked as an electrical technician, and after two weeks, he traveled to Detroit to support a contract.
Patrick made the move from a temporary electrical technician with OES to a full-time commissioning technician with OMR after a conversation he had with two OMR managers.
Attitude is everything
“I was in the right place, at the right time, and it was the right opportunity. I love this job. It’s so much fun. I love being in an environment where I can learn and be intellectually challenged. I come to work every day and try to help in any capacity I can. I think that’s the type of energy they were looking for.”
Patrick’s advice to someone joining the OMR team is to come in with the right attitude.
“You don’t have to have an automation or electrical background to do the job. Be teachable. Have humility to admit when you don’t know something and need to learn more. If you come in with the attitude of teach me everything, I want to know everything, then the sky’s the limit.”