WAREHOUSE AUTOMATION

AMRs use simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) software to map a facility, orient themselves, and respond to layout changes.

created, the robot can move around autonomously, and personnel must be coached on interacting with the robots to ensure everyone’s safety.

Many warehouses are dynamic environments. Some have wide-open spaces with few landmarks, while others constantly move pallets and carts, making it difficult for robots to orient themselves. Over weeks or months, enough small changes can throw off a robot such that personnel must redraw the map periodically or deal with the robot getting lost. Most likely, personnel will grow frustrated and stop using the robots.

Users can monitor AMR locations and pathways along the SLAM-generated map in real time.

However, when localization software is deployed to a robot fleet, the fleet records all detected changes. Then, the software modifies the base map and distributes the changes back to the fleet.

“It doesn’t matter how good your fleet management software is or what kind of robot you have. If the robot can’t localize itself, you’re going to have problems,” said Mercurio.

Rokit Locator can use up to two

During initial setup, a user manually drives an AMR to create the base map. Then, the AMR can operate autonomously and update the map with detected changes.

| Courtesy of Bosch Rexroth

lasers and the wheel odometry for location accuracy. In the near future, Bosch Rexroth will also include a navigation solution to help plan paths. With localization, the robots know where they are; with navigation, they’ll chart an optimal course and respond to obstructions and traffic more intelligently.

“The next big trend in the AMR space will be interoperability — robots from different manufacturers being able to work together in the same environment,” said Mercurio. “And as the adoption rate goes up, warehouses might want to diversify providers to accomplish different tasks. That will push manufacturers to find ways to add value. I’m sure we’ll see all kinds of integrated solutions around robots.”

As AMRs evolve, we may see more 3D vision and more efficient motors and wheels. We may also find more mobile robots outside factories and warehouses, as they’re already in hospitals, grocery stores, and restaurants. And just as other industries advance warehouse automation technology, hardware and software improvements in warehouses influence applications and make robotic solutions more available and affordable.

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Bosch Rexroth boschrexroth.com