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Robots in the industrial sector are quickly evolving from powerful, stationary machines into sophisticated, mobile platforms to address a broader range of automation needs. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are one of the latest and most innovative automation solutions on the market.
AMRs differ from automated guided vehicles (AGVs) by their degree of autonomy – AMRs are far more independent than AGVs. AMRs will be an important part of lean operations in a wide range of industrial settings once they are widely deployed, as they are built to address specific challenges in typical industrial environments.
Robotic-Picking
While many logistics and manufacturing operations still rely on manual and paper-based picking systems, autonomous mobile robots can now eliminate a lot of unnecessary walking.
Improvements in sensors, artificial intelligence and mobility enable these machines to be easily deployed virtually anywhere. Companies such as IAM Robotics, GreyOrange, and Bleum offer mobile robotic picking solutions that can add a new level of efficiency to the process.
Forklifts
Forklifts are also becoming increasingly complex and intelligent with full autonomy for some applications. They are well-suited for operations whose load-handling processes provide little added value, are repetitive and involve longer distances, said Tobias Zierhurt, vice president of product management and industrial warehouse trucks at Linde Material Handling.
Linde's automated forklifts feature a navigation laser, front and rear scanners, a 3D camera and visual and acoustic warning indicators that enable it to safely move around a warehouse in the vicinity of human workers. The company claims it can detect obstacles in real-time and adjust the course when needed. Many of Lind's machines are being used to transport pallets and trailers in warehouses at distances up to several hundred meters. These automated trucks operate in fleets from just a few to 30 and are usually used together with manually-operated trucks for certain duties.
Inventory Robots
Autonomous mobile robots also offer new opportunities for inventory monitoring. When combined with RFID-tagged products and equipment, these machines can now conduct their own inventory sweeps autonomously at schedules determined by the warehouse.
Fetch's TagSurveyor features three RFID interrogators mounted for optimal coverage and can reliably and consistently detect tagged products from up to 25 feet away, says the company. It not only reduces the need for manual inventory counts but also offers real-time mapping to managers who can easily visualize product storage. For example, the robot might identify storage and placement that is leading to inefficient movements of machinery or people. In another case, it may better identify goods that are nearing expiration dates. It may still be a while before drones are safely moving large products through the air in distribution centers or to customers' homes. But in the meantime, lightweight unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs) are already being equipped with RFID-scanning technology to offer real-time inventory visibility in the warehouse.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
It may still be a while before drones are safely moving large products through the air in distribution centers or to customers' homes. But in the meantime, lightweight unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs) are already being equipped with RFID-scanning technology to offer real-time inventory visibility in the warehouse.
PINC makes an autonomous, customizable unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that can be deployed outside of regular working hours. PINC AIR (Aerial inventory robots) can be ordered by operators to perform automatic inventory checks throughout a facility and identify inventory in put-away locations. Resulting scans are uploaded to the cloud in a web application that can synchronize with the WMS or other inventory management systems.
Sensors and algorithms enable collision prevention and an intuitive design that enables it to adopt flight patterns to unique layouts and to navigate cluttered environments, according to the company.
One of the latest innovations in AMRs is the inclusion of onboard intelligence systems. These come in a variety of formats but differentiate AMRs from AGVs. Many AMRs can learn their surroundings either by having a blueprint uploaded or by having the AMRs drive around and develop their own map. This type of autonomy allows them to quickly adapt to just about any industrial environment.
Another major innovation in AMRs is its computer vision capabilities. Most AMRs are equipped with an array of complex sensors to detect objects around them. The ability to accurately perceive a dynamic environment in real-time is incredibly difficult, but it's what makes AMRs so valuable in a constantly shifting industrial setting.
AMRs are one step above and beyond AGVs. In most applications, AMRs will provide unrivaled flexibility and ease of use due to their high levels of autonomy. These capabilities fit perfectly with today's lean operating environments.
AMRs are an important robotic innovation that supports the constant pursuit of productivity in the industrial sector. AMRs have great commercial potential and are likely to be deployed in a wide range of settings.
