ABB boosts AMR performance with Visual SLAM technology

ABB's acquisition policy of the last two years is already making itself felt successfully, at least technologically. Visual-SLAM was presented on the occasion of LogiMat. Developed by Sevensense, it is used on a former Asti Mobile. The VSLAM presentation took place during a press round. In this the communication between AMR fleet and robot arms was inquired. This is done comprehensively and transparently. Other providers may not yet be as far advanced. Thanks to VSLAM, the previously known markings (landmark, lines, codes, etc.) can be dispensed with. Incidentally, ABB was the only one of the major robotics manufacturers represented at LogiMat. The press release:

• New AI-powered navigation technology enables AMR to make intelligent decisions in dynamic and challenging environments
• Reduction of commissioning time by up to 20 percent due to less calibration effort and without changing the infrastructure
• More flexibility to meet rapidly changing intralogistics requirements in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and retail

ABB Robotics has further enhanced the performance of its autonomous mobile robots (AMR) with the introduction of Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM) technology. The technology enables the AMR to make intelligent navigation decisions based on their environment. ABB's Visual-SLAM-equipped AMRs use AI-powered 3D image processing to determine position and map the environment, enabling faster, more flexible, efficient and robust production. At the same time, they can take over monotonous, dirty and dangerous work, allowing employees to focus on more fulfilling tasks.

Thanks to the combination of AI and 3D vision technologies, Visual-SLAM offers superior performance compared to other navigation methods for AMR. Other methods such as magnetic tapes, QR codes or traditional 2D SLAM technology require additional infrastructure to function. Because of these significant advantages, AMR with Visual-SLAM technology is increasingly being used by companies to handle a growing range of production and distribution tasks.

"Our Visual-SLAM-AMRs enable significant improvements in companies' operations by making them faster, more efficient and more flexible. At the same time, they reduce the workload of employees, who can devote themselves to more fulfilling tasks," emphasizes Marc Segura, head of ABB's Robotics Division. "Our new AMR feature higher levels of autonomy and intelligence, and operate safely in dynamic, human-populated environments. Visual SLAM technology provides AMR with a new level of intelligence and takes robotic applications in manufacturing, distribution to healthcare to a new level."

Visual-SLAM uses cameras mounted on the AMR to create a real-time 3D map of all objects in the environment. The system distinguishes between fixed reference points for navigation 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 of the environment, allowing the AMR to dynamically adapt to its surroundings and determine the safest and most efficient path to its destination. Unlike 2D-SLAM, Visual-SLAM does not require additional reference points such as reflectors or markers, saving space and cost and enabling positioning with an accuracy of three millimeters.

Because there is no need to change the environment, stop production or add infrastructure, Visual SLAM technology can reduce commissioning time by up to 20 percent compared to 2D SLAM. This also means a significant reduction in the time required to introduce a new AMR to an existing fleet. With the help of remote updates, the technology can be used on a large scale for AMR fleets. In addition, the technology is secure because only raw data is analyzed and no images are stored on the AMR or a server.

ABB has developed the Visual SLAM AMR in collaboration with its partner Sevensense Robotics, a leading provider of AI and 3D vision technology. The technology will be integrated into ABB's latest generation AMR and will be available with the AMR T702V from the third quarter of 2023 and with the AMR P604V from the fourth quarter of 2023. More AMR solutions with Visual-SLAM are expected to follow by 2025. Visual SLAM technology is already being used in a number of projects for customers in the automotive and retail industries. Here it offers the possibility of replacing conventional production lines with intelligent, modular production cells fed by AMR.

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