The automated or self-guided vehicle (SGV) is essentially a mobile robot used in the industrial arena to move materials from point-to-point. The trend toward developing robots that possess a greater degree of autonomy so that they can more effectively perform tasks in an unstructured environment without continuous human guidance or intervention also extends to automated guided vehicles. More autonomous automated guided vehicles are better able to flexibly navigate their environment and are more readily able to accommodate any changes in their environment.

In late December 2006, RMT Robotics and MobileRobots Inc. reported the introduction of ADAM, an SGV designed to perform mission-based payload transport even in very challenging environments. "ADAM automatically adjusts to its changing environment without assistance from traditional support lifelines, such as guide wires, reflectors, transponders, or centralized guidance," stated Bill Torrens, director of sales and marketing, RMT Robotics. "Combined with RF communications, smart battery technology, and opportunity charging (where the AGV will receive a charge whenever the opportunity arises), ADAM can literally go where no AGV (automated guided vehicle) has gone before."

The light duty AGV (150 kg payload) ADAM employs an innovative open-path navigation platform [MobileRobotics’ advanced robotics control system (ARCS) inside] that enables the vehicle to calculate the optimal path to its destination and to maneuver around expected or unexpected obstructions.
"Already proven in the tire industry as an integral link in the production sequence, the compact robust design and ability to seamlessly adapt to and interact with its environment, makes ADAM the new, first of automated vehicles in virtually any industrial or commercial application," declared Torrens.
ADAM is a solution from RMT Robotics Ltd., a Canada-based manufacturer and integrator providing end-to-end automation solutions.

MobileRobots Inc. is a 12-year-old company that designs and manufactures mobile robots and mobile robot software and control systems. The company has sold thousands of mobile robots around the globe. Customers include Amgen, HP, Intel, John Deere, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, US Army, US Navy, and so on.

ARCSinside, a product of MobileRobots Inc., can, for example, tell the AGV where it is at present and how to get to its desired destination. The sensors used in conjunction with ACRS are a laser range-finder for mapping and localization, and a rate gyroscope. The ACRS can tell the AGV where it is because, during installation, a map of the building is created by driving the AGV around its work space. The map is created by fusing laser range-finder readings of stationary objects (such as walls, stamping machines, electrical boxes, and so on) with the standard gyro-corrected dead-reckoning information. Sick Optics provides the LMS200 laser range-finder used in ARCS. The map is then edited to show the AGV its destinations and where it is permitted to travel. Once the AGV has the map, it can tell, via combining its gyro-corrected dead-reckoning with the laser range-finder readings, where it is with respect to the plan.
In contrast, line-guided systems are inflexible and can involve relatively high-installation costs. Beacon-reading lasers for AGV navigation could be susceptible to dirt, obstruction due to pallet loads, or harm from passing equipment; and beacons can require higher installation and maintenance costs than ACRS.

In contrast to AGVs that merely extend their line-following algorithms between waypoints created by the installer (which can hinder their ability to respond to changing or unexpected environments), ARCS employs a modified iterated search technique to build its paths through open spaces and can, thereby, respond to space as it actually exists, as opposed to simply operating from mapped waypoints. This capability allows the ACRS to interact with human-placed objects (such as pallet loads), since it has the potential to sense and position itself at different angles, depending on the angle in which another object was placed.

The goals and tasks of an ACRS-equipped AGV are built around the map, which can be modified in minutes in MobileRobot’s mapper software using a graphical user interface. Other AGVs purportedly require a greater investment in terms of time and money to change the task of the AGV or to update routes and respond to changes in the physical plant. Moreover, ACRS maps can be shared among many AGVs or modified for custom tasks by an individual or group of AGVs.

Jeanne Dietsch, MobileRobots’ CEO, told Advanced Manufacturing Technology that: "ARCSinside is based on research that has been under development by the artificial intelligence community for 15 years and by our company itself, with help of grants from NIH, for six years. It underlies mobile robots used indoors across many industries--even robotic wheelchairs. It includes robot navigation and control systems, as well as software modules for installation, user interface, accessory integration, simulation, customization and programming."

She explained, "MobileRobots Inc. builds some robots with ARCSinside itself because they are working in new areas, such as security, where no AGV manufacturers exist. In manufacturing, however, where AGVs are an established product, we prefer to provide ARCSinside to companies like RMT Robotics, who already know how to build reliable industrial equipment."

Regarding improvements in ACRSinside that MobileRobots is working on, Dietsch noted: "The improvements we're making relevant to the manufacturing industry have to do with: a) operation in highly dynamic areas, such as pallet stacks and racks; b) omnidirectional controls."

MobileRobots will initially release the omnidirectional controls in an outdoor security and developer platform; but they are definitely interested in investigating manufacturing applications for the omnidirectional controls. Dietsch indicated, "So far, requests for manipulation have been from laboratories and server farms, but we would be happy to implement such technologies for manufacturing as well if original equipment manufacturers request. We would also be happy to work on operation in a truck or other loading area, if an OEM so requested."

Moreover, MobileRobots is expanding speech, feedback, and human interaction capabilities for security, hospital, office, and other people-centric applications. "These efforts will advance manufacturing applications in a small way. They will provide more information about the platform's status," Dietsch noted.
MobileRobots is also working on ARCSoutdoors, which will initially be used primarily for security, but could, later on, have industrial applications.

Dietsch noted that there "thousands of applications" for MobileRobots’ technologies that autonomously move from place to place and use sensors, cameras, audio systems, and other effectors. Such application span, for example, manufacturing processes, materials handling, distribution systems, hospitality, security, tech support, healthcare, postal systems, and so on.

Details:

Jeanne Dietsch
CEO, MobileRobots Inc.
19 Columbia Drive
Amherst, NH 03031
Phone: 603-881-7960
E-mail: jdietsch@mobilerobots.com

Bill Torrens
Director
Sales & Marketing
RMT Robotics Ltd.
635 South Service Road
Grimsby, Ontario
Canada L3M 4E8
Phone: 905-643-0700 Extn. 273
E-mail: billtorrens@rmtrobotics.com

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