Deploying Autonomous Mobile Robots with AI and IEI

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and autonomic guided vehicles (AGV) were changing the landscape across many industries – including healthcare, industrial automation, warehousing, logistics and many others. However, in the post-pandemic era, AMR and AGV can help deal with staffing shortages and the need for social distancing.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) use on-board sensors and processors to autonomously move materials without the need for physical guides or markers. The AMR’s main components include a controller, computing unit, battery, motors, sensors and camera. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) can be pre-programmed to transport goods in a warehousing & manufacturing environments. The AGV’s main components include traction motor & batteries, industrial PC (or on-board controller) and payload interface.

The greatest advantage of AMR over AGV is that AMR provides alternative navigation options. An AMR navigates using a predefined map and plans its own routes to the destination. It can detect obstacles similar to an AGV, but it is more intelligent because they can avoid obstacles by navigating around them. Therefore, an AMR robot is considered more flexible because it can change its path dynamically and with less effort. An AMR robot is perceived to be much more costly compared to an AGV, but in reality, the AMR can be more cost effective due to its flexibility and ease of set up.

AMR vs AGV – what is the difference?

	AMR	AGV
Navigation	Using technology such as LiDAR sensors & simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM), an AMR will determine the best route between waypoints	Traditionally guided by magnetic strips or wires installed on or under the floor
Responsiveness	AMR will automatically sense and avoid obstacles and blocked paths to find the best route to its next waypoint	AGV’s are unable to adapt to changes in the environment or obstacles left in their path
Flexibility	Can easily be remapped and taught new destinations and goals	New tracks and infrastructure need to be installed
Deployment	This can vary, but efficient AMR’s can be unboxed and put to work in less than 15 minutes	Requires installation of navigation guides, sometimes requiring substantial facility renovation
Expandability	Typically, AMR’s are managed on a fleet software package	Need to add new tracks and new units to the infrastructure
Accessibility	AMR waypoints can be set up and reconfigured by the local workforce with training	AGV’s typically require experts to set up or reconfigure the system

---

AMR with Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) makes it possible for machines to learn from experience, adjust to new inputs and perform human-like tasks. AI will become an integral part of setting up and using AMRs, simplifying their deployment process and improving their workflow. Some AMRs are taking those ‘smarts’ to the next level with artificial intelligence coupled with strategically placed cameras that function as extended robot sensors. With AI, AMRs can learn to adapt their appropriate behaviour even before they enter an area. This means they can avoid high-traffic areas during specific times, including when materials are regularly delivered by fork truck or other vehicles, or when large numbers of workers are present during breaks or shift changes.

---

AMR/AGV Controller

---

DRPC-230-ULT5

The DRPC-230-ULT5 could endure up to 70°C operating temperature to deliver constant performance with CPU running steadily above its base frequency. The model with expansion layer provides rich I/O and PCIe x4 signal to support add-ons such as IEI acceleration cards (Mustang-V100-MX8 or Mustang-V100-MX4), opening the door to faster deployments of AI inference systems. The DRPC-230-ULT5 can connect to camera for visual recognition. It enables machine learning by using a variety of training models to simulate and infer the status or appearance of objects. For example, the inference system with the video analysis model can perform obstacle analysis for AMR.

DRPC-130-AL

uIBX-250-BW

---

Applications

---

Benefits of AMR

---

Product Selection