Mobile Robots
Perception

With all senses: Perception solutions for mobile robots

Implementing powerful perception solutions is the most important step in the evolution of mobile robots. This innovative technology, consisting of hardware and software, helps getting mobile robots to move even more accurately, smoothly and quickly in a wide range of applications.

Increased efficiency and safety through accurate perception

Mobile robots equipped with perception technology can detect objects that are in their environment and in their travel range. They can measure distances, manoeuvre around obstacles and avoid collisions. This is particularly important in intralogistics, where minimising accidents and downtime of mobile transport robots is a top priority. Thanks to the precise perception of their surroundings, these robots are able to move efficiently on the basis of the processed image information, resulting in a significant increase in working speed. Perception technology can also be used, for example, to control and pick up pallets reliably and more quickly.

In summary, perception solutions are the answer to the increasing demands on mobile robots in terms of speed and flexibility in route planning and order processing.

Reliable perimeter detection and faster pallet pick-up

Problem

Mobile robots currently rely primarily on 2D LiDAR technology for the detection of their surroundings. However, this only covers a limited part of the robot’s immediate environment. Obstacles outside the LiDAR are not detected, which can lead to collisions and stops.

Solution

The O3R perception platform is the ideal solution for the seamless monitoring of the mobile robot’s environment. The central camera platform, to which up to six 3D camera heads with time-of-flight technology can be connected, generates a three-dimensional image of the entire spatial environment based on the camera information. For example, even suspended crane hooks or forklift tines that are placed on the ground can be reliably detected and safely avoided. ifm’s own software for obstacle detection and route planning simplifies the implementation of 3D image-based robot navigation.

Problem

In pallet handling, the driverless forklift truck must be positioned precisely in front of the pallet pockets to ensure that the load is picked up safely. This is a critical and time-consuming step that reduces the effectiveness of the mobile robot.

Solution

The pallet detection system integrated into the O3R camera platform significantly reduces the time required to detect and access the pallet pockets, increasing the overall efficiency of the robot. Even unexpected pallet movements are detected instantly, allowing the forks to adjust accordingly and the pallet to be picked up safely and without damage.

Benefits of the O3R platform for mobile robots

Easy integration, fast commissioning
Thanks to their space-saving design, both the computing unit and the camera heads of the O3R platform for mobile robots can be easily integrated into even compact mobile robots. The camera heads themselves can be calibrated quickly and easily. This reduces commissioning time.
Precise navigation thanks to optimal perception of the entire environment
Thanks to the O3R system’s time-of-flight technology, your mobile robot can accurately perceive all objects in its environment. In the so-called occupancy grid, objects are displayed in the space and occupy the fields in the matrix. This makes it easier for intelligent mobile robots to use predictive navigation to avoid one or more obstacles, thus increasing the accuracy and safety of vehicle navigation compared to 2D LIDAR systems.
High processing power in order to offload the central processing unit
The powerful NVIDIA chip and large memory capacity enable image processing using proprietary or existing algorithms directly on the VPU. This reduces the need for expensive processing power in the central IPC.

Find out more about the O3R platform for mobile robots now ➜