Discovering Sensor Solutions for Autonomous Mobility with Maximilian Linardi, HBK OEM Sensor Specialist

Q: Which industries have effectively implemented AGV/AMR technology?

A: AGV/AMR technology has been successfully adopted across a variety of sectors. Industries like manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics are really taking advantage of these robots to streamline their operations. In manufacturing, for example, AGVs are being used to move materials around the factory floor, optimising production processes and reducing manual labour.

In the e-commerce world, companies are using AMRs to speed up order fulfillment in their warehouses. These robots are pretty cool because they can navigate through the aisles, pick up items, and deliver them to packing stations, all autonomously.

Healthcare is another sector where AGV/AMRs are making a big impact. Hospitals are using them to transport supplies and medication between different departments, helping to improve efficiency and free up staff to focus on patient care.

Even in agriculture, we’re seeing AGV/AMRs being used for tasks like crop harvesting and spraying. It’s fascinating to see how technology is transforming traditional industries like farming. Overall, it’s an exciting time to be an engineer working with AGV/AMR technology. There are so many opportunities to innovate and make a real difference across a wide range of sectors.

Q: What are the main challenges engineers face during the development of AGV/AMR, especially regarding sensor integration?

A: When developing AGV/AMR systems, integrating sensors poses one of the major challenges for product engineers. These automated systems rely heavily on accurate and reliable sensors to perceive their environment and navigate safely. However, effectively integrating these sensors goes beyond simply installing them on the robot’s chassis. It’s more about carefully merging overall design and specific functionalities of the AGV/AMR.

The main challenge lies in finding a delicate balance between the diversity of data captured by the sensors and their compatibility with the mechanical and electronic constraints of the robots. This requires creating solutions that not only ensure precise environmental perception but also seamlessly integrate with other system components.

Among the specific challenges encountered in designing sensors for AGV/AMR are the need to accurately detect human presence and obstacles while maintaining reliable and durable operation despite vibration and environmental constraints. Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure that these solutions remain economically viable while delivering optimal performance.

Furthermore, it’s essential to consider the requirements for regular maintenance and ensure the robustness of the sensors to maintain consistent performance in a variety of operational environments, sometimes challenging ones. In conclusion, successful integration of sensors into AGV/AMR systems requires a holistic approach and in-depth expertise to effectively address these multiple challenges.

Q: What are some of the most commonly used sensors in AGV and AMR applications, and how do these choices vary depending on specific functions and robot requirements?

A: In AGV and AMR applications, a variety of sensors are employed to fulfill their functionalities, including lidars (light detection and ranging), laser scanners, cameras, proximity sensors, and load sensors. The choice of sensors varies depending on the specific needs and requirements of robots in different operational contexts.

In the logistics domain, lidars and laser scanners are pivotal for mapping warehouses and detecting obstacles, enabling robots to navigate autonomously in complex and dynamic environments. Cameras play a crucial role in object recognition and precise localisation of goods, facilitating efficient handling of items and contributing to the optimisation of logistics operations.

Proximity sensors are indispensable for detecting obstacles in the path of robots, thereby avoiding collisions and ensuring safe navigation, particularly in confined spaces where precision is paramount.

Moreover, load sensors, although often overlooked, play a vital role in controlling the manipulation of loads by robots. They accurately measure the force exerted during grasping, transporting, and depositing goods, ensuring efficient and secure handling. These sensors optimise logistics operations by enabling AGVs and AMRs to interact intelligently and autonomously, especially in functions such as load distribution monitoring, weight measurement and picking, drive control, and optimised navigation.

Q: In your experience, what are the most common challenges encountered in the design of load sensors for AGVs and AMRs, and how are these challenges addressed, particularly regarding space efficiency and handling multiple loads?

A: In our experience, designing custom load sensors based on strain gauges for AGV and AMR applications presents several common challenges, particularly in optimising space, managing multiple loads, and ensuring compatibility with the specific mechanical constraints of the robots. These challenges demand innovative approaches to ensure reliable performance and successful sensor integration in dynamic environments. Here’s how we tackle these challenges:

·??????? Space optimisation: Space is often limited in AGV and AMR environments, which can pose constraints on integrating load cells. Our engineers excel in designing functional load cells even in the tightest spaces. Leveraging advanced design techniques and a deep understanding of geometric constraints, we optimise the use of available space

·??????? Managing multiple loads: AGV and AMR systems are frequently tasked with handling diverse loads, requiring robust and versatile sensors. We engineer custom sensors capable of accurately measuring multiple loads, considering their weight, distribution, and dynamics. This capability ensures safe and efficient load handling, regardless of type or weight

·??????? Compatibility with mechanical constraints: Sensors must withstand the mechanical constraints encountered in AGV/AMR environments. We employ lightweight yet durable materials and advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure sensor robustness and longevity. Additionally, we tailor the mechanical characteristics of sensors to seamlessly integrate with the specific requirements of robots, ensuring reliability and longevity

Furthermore, we offer tailored solutions to address the specific needs of each application:

·??????? Tailored output signals and interfaces: We provide a wide range of output signals and interfaces, including analog and digital interfaces, enabling seamless integration into existing systems

·??????? Customised protection concepts: We offer various protection solutions, such as coatings, covers, and hermetic seals, to ensure sensor operation in diverse environmental conditions. These solutions are specifically tailored to the requirements of each application, ensuring reliable and consistent performance over time.

Q: How does Finite Element Analysis (FEA) contribute to optimising the design of sensors for AGV/AMR robots?

A: Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a crucial asset in optimising the design of sensors for AGV/AMR robots. By utilising this advanced simulation technique, we can model the structural behaviour of sensors in a variety of operational conditions.

FEA allows us to virtually explore sensor performance under different loads, vibrations, and environments, revealing excessive stresses, potential deformations, and potential points of failure. This ability to simulate sensor behaviour provides valuable insights into its performance in real-world scenarios.

By identifying stress zones and weak points through FEA, we can iterate quickly on designs, testing different configurations and materials to enhance sensor robustness and durability. This approach enables us to optimise the design even before creating a physical prototype, resulting in time and cost savings in development.

By adjusting the sensor design based on FEA results, we can enhance its resistance to mechanical and environmental stresses, ensuring reliability and accuracy in various operational conditions. This contributes to improving the quality and safety of AGV/AMR robot operations.

In conclusion, FEA is an essential tool for optimising sensor design for AGV/AMR robots. Through this approach, we can detect and address potential issues early in the design process, leading to sensors that are more efficient, reliable, and perfectly suited to the specific requirements of these advanced robotic applications.

Interested in learning more? Explore the comprehensive conversation with Max as we take a closer look at sensor integration behind-the-scenes, and the intricacies of crafting customised OEM sensors from conception to large-scale manufacturing.

Dive into the interview : https://www.hbkworld.com/en/knowledge/resource-center/articles/sensor-solutions-for-autonomous-mobility-with-oem-sensor-special

Connect Maximilian Linardi - Sales Specialist OEM Sensors Central Europe Working as a sales engineer with customers all around the globe, Max has years of experience in various sectors including automation, robotics, and the medical industry. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering, with a focus on automation and sensor technologies.

In 2018, Max joined HBK and is now part of the OEM Custom Sensor team, supporting OEM clients with their challenges. He is committed to bring the best solution to your needs.

https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/max-linardi/