Automated robotic transport using Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR’s)
robotcarts
Automated robotic transport using Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR’s) in hotels, warehouses, manufacturing and large buildings will play a significant part in improving efficiencies across these sectors over the coming years.
Experience with robotic transport has given Quantum Robotics the expertise to consult and implement these solutions for your business right across Australia.
Quantum has carefully selected the worlds best AMR solutions, no other system has the proven reliability and unique features that you need.
As long as you have enough work to keep your robots busy for around 60+ hours per week the ROI (Return on Investment is excellent, with a cost per robot of around $100 per day on lease (including installation, training and onsite warranty)
Adopting this technology will propel your organization into the future
Most organizations buy many cars for each robot, which greatly increases efficiency as carts can be left in strategic locations, either full or empty or being loaded or unloaded. When you are ready then simply summon a robot via a button or tablet or the touch panel of the robot, select where to go after and off it goes.
The RoboCarts can deliver almost anything (up to 130 KG’s) that are currently taken manually by staff. It can call and play a voice message to inform staff that it has arrived, and it also allows for the upload of music files and can play warning sounds as it reaches blind turns or dangerous areas.
Staff request the Robocarts to transport an item using a Wi-Fi tablet mounted at a sending station. Stations can be programmed anywhere within your building depending on your requirements.
All of the robots can be centrally coordinated via Omron’s amazing “Enterprise Manager” that can control a fleet of up to 100 robots. It communicates with lift systems, door opening systems, fire alarm systems, telephone systems, warehouse management systems, ERP’s and more.
The Omron Enterprise Manager communicates via Wi-Fi internet with all AMR’s. Job assignment and traffic control are carried out by the software with all vehicles driving independently. All necessary information/data is stored in the robots, so they can run autonomously. Clarifications for necessary lift movements or door passages are carried out between the vehicle and central control.
The robots navigate by using multiple laser scanners for referencing the building features (walls, corners, doors, etc.) and comparing the scan with the virtual layout stored in the vehicle on board computer. Additionally, the travel route is continuously measured by encoders and with this combination the vehicle can determine its position. The system does not require any installation of floor, wall or ceiling navigation devices.
The laser scanners also serve as safety devices to ensure it is contact-free. If there is recognition of an obstacle in the route within the warning zone, the speed of the vehicle reduces. If there is an obstacle identified in the security field, the sensor will immediately send a stop signal to the vehicle control. If the obstacle does not clear, the vehicle will search and take a safe path around it.
The robots are powered by on-board batteries. If there are no transport jobs in the system, the robots will recharge their batteries automatically by travelling to and docking onto a charging station. There are no manual interactions necessary and charging stations are placed at dedicated locations where the robot can park and recharge. The exact locations will be defined during the project phase. These free-standing charging docks need to be secured to the floor or wall behind the dock to ensure the dock remains in the same location at all times.
Should there be such an instance and a need to move the vehicle manually, press the E-Stop, hold down the Break Release and push the robot to a desired position. Once clear, release the E-Stop and press the ON button. The RoboButler will resume its previous known tasks.
During a fire alarm the elevator system will send a message to the RoboButler server and the vehicle will then move to a designated fire goal/position to clear the path or if in the charger it will stay in the charger till the alarm has ceased.
The RoboButler is designed to operate in an environment that is wheelchair accessible. During installation Quantum will create virtual walls so the robot totally avoids any:
- Glass doors and walls
- Pits without railings or low bumpers
- Floors with access panels removed
- Loose cables, hoses, etc.
- Large, highly-reflective objects
Floors must provide good traction, typical of good walking conditions:
- Slope up to 1:12
- Step traversal up to 15 mm (0.6 in.)
- Gap traversal up to 15 mm (0.6 in.)
- Temperature 5° to 40° C (41° to 104° F)
- Humidity 5 to 95%, non-condensing
- Direct sunlight
Note:
Please note that the RoboCarts are designed for indoor use only or well covered outdoor walkways. It should not ever be exposed to rain or other wet conditions.
Automating the transport of goods will:
- Deliver goods in a fun and innovative way
- Improve quality of the services
- Allow staff to focus on more important duties
See what The RoboCarts can do for your hotels, warehouses, manufacturing and large buildings