– New AI-enabled navigation technology allows AMRs to make intelligent decisions in dynamic and challenging environments
– Technology reduces commissioning time by up to 20 percent, requiring less calibration and no change to infrastructure
– Increases flexibility for fast-changing intralogistics requirements in production, logistics, healthcare and retail
ABB Robotics has transformed its Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) with the addition of Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM) technology, enabling its AMRs to make intelligent navigation decisions based on their surroundings. Using AI-enabled 3D vision to perform location and mapping functions, ABB’s Visual SLAM AMRs make production faster, more flexible, efficient and resilient while taking on dull, dirty and dangerous tasks so people can focus on more rewarding work.
Visual SLAM combines AI and 3D vision technologies to guarantee a superior performance in comparison to other guidance techniques for AMRs. Offering significant advantages over other forms of navigation such as magnetic tape, QR codes, and traditional 2D SLAM that require additional infrastructure to function, Visual SLAM AMRs are being embraced by companies to handle an expanding range of production and distribution tasks.
Visual SLAM uses cameras mounted on the AMR to create a real time 3D map of all objects in the surrounding area. The system can differentiate between fixed navigation references such as floors, ceilings and walls that need to be added to the map, and objects such as people or vehicles that move or change position. The cameras detect and track natural features in the environment enabling the AMR to dynamically adapt to its surroundings and determine the safest and most efficient route to its destination. Unlike 2D SLAM, Visual SLAM requires no additional references such as reflectors or markers, saving cost and space and offers accurate positioning to within three millimeters.
