AMR
Intelligent materials handling technology
Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) are paving the way for agile production and logistics networks. Intelligent navigation is crucial here. Remarkable progress is currently being made in this area thanks to an advanced combination of AI and image processing, driven by automation experts such as ABB Robotics. However, in addition to hardware and software, there is another factor that plays a role in the transformation of intralogistics.
The factory of the future is modular: Linear production is increasingly giving way to dynamic manufacturing networks in which workflows, machines and tools can be recombined again and again. As a result, the smart factory will better meet the increasing demands for product variance and capacity utilization. This flexibility makes it possible to map specific customer requirements in very small batches, right down to batch size 1. However, this concept stands and falls with a flawless material flow. Intelligent transport systems are needed to link the various production stages seamlessly and efficiently.
This is where autonomous mobile robots (AMR) come into play. These intelligent companions move workpieces, components and materials quickly and precisely between the various production stations. Among other things, they assist with the acceptance of goods, supply production lines and workstations or facilitate the transportation of heavy loads. Their applications range from incoming goods to line and cell loading and pallet transportation, to name but a few. Thanks to their high speed, load capacity and accuracy, AMRs accelerate the material flow through the entire process chain, reduce cycle times and thus increase overall efficiency.
Safety and autonomy go hand in hand
The degree of autonomy of an AMR is largely determined by its navigation capabilities. As a rule of thumb, the more advanced the navigation technology of an AMR, the more independently the system can find its way through production and the more versatile it can be used. In contrast to traditional track-based systems, which follow fixed paths on a magnetic track or a virtual track, the advanced navigation method SLAM (Synchronized Localization and Mapping) enables greater freedom of movement. SLAM forms the basis for natural navigation - the most advanced form of AMR navigation.
The AMR uses a virtual map of the environment with important landmarks, routes and transfer stations. For orientation, the robot uses advanced sensor technology, including a LiDar laser scanner that continuously provides real-time laser data of the environment. The AMR constantly compares the information on the map with the sensor data to find the optimal route to the destination. In addition, the AMR recognizes obstacles such as people or pallets at an early stage and adapts its route to the actual conditions ("obstacle avoidance"). The crucial factor here is that the maps to which the AMR refers are constantly updated - whenever the environment changes, for example due to new machine installations.
In order to prevent accidents, more safety measures must be taken as AMRs become increasingly autonomous. Specific safety requirements for AMR are also defined in the standard DIN EN ISO 3681-4 "Industrial trucks - Safety requirements and verification - Part 4: Driverless industrial trucks and their systems". Safety functions in robot programming play just as important a role here as the corresponding sensor technology. For example, safety laser scanners and sensors on the bumpers and fork tips in conjunction with warning systems and a safety controller help to prevent collisions between AMRs and objects or even people.
If you want to drive, you have to be able to radio
Another important aspect is the proactive scheduling of the vehicle fleet. This is where an interface between the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and the AMR fleet management system comes in handy. The MES receives a material request from a machine and enriches it with additional information such as an exact delivery time/ETA in order to generate a digital transport order. Based on this order, the connected fleet management software schedules the available AMRs in a forward-looking and timely manner.
In addition to intelligent fleet management, good utilization of the AMR fleet also depends on forward-looking battery management. An AMR that is supposed to deliver just-in-sequence material must not have to turn back en route to the charging station. Intelligent AMR systems prevent bottlenecks and breakdowns by planning charging times during periods of low capacity utilization. The higher the degree of autonomy of a vehicle, the more essential seamless integration into the control systems and continuous communication with these systems becomes. Only in this way can the vehicle receive the necessary information at all times and report its status back to the fleet management system. One prerequisite for this is seamless WLAN coverage across the entire site.
Holistic automation
Experienced partners who not only provide the right hardware and software, but also have a deep understanding of the processes that enables them to creatively redesign existing workflows, are crucial to the success of the intralogistics transformation. One such partner is ABB Robotics. Over the past few years, the automation specialist has consistently expanded its AMR expertise by integrating the companies ASTI and Sevensense.
Intelligent navigation
With Flexley Tug T702, ABB Robotics has recently added an AMR with Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM) technology to its automation portfolio. The secret recipe of its intelligent navigation is the combination of AI and 3D image processing and enables Virtual SLAM AMR to differentiate between fixed and moving objects in dynamic environments, map its environment autonomously and make intelligent decisions on this basis. Paired with the AMR-Studio software for intuitive programming and control, commissioning time is reduced by up to 20 percent.
This makes it easier and faster for companies with different levels of automation maturity and/or a lack of in-house robotics experts to enter the world of AMR. Once the AMR fleet is up and running, it can be easily orchestrated using the associated AMR Studio Fleet Manager software. Powerful algorithms enable intelligent order allocation and ensure the efficient distribution of orders. Real-time visualization and data monitoring ensure complete traceability. Thanks to visualization and data monitoring functions, users always have an overview. ABB will continue to expand its AMR portfolio with Visual SLAM navigation technology and AMR Studio.
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