Automation & Mobility

Indoor mobile robots

When it comes to autonomy, nobody does it alone.

Demand is on the rise in warehousing and logistics

Productivity demands are increasing. The traditional automated guided vehicle (AGV – which follows pre-determined paths using lines or beacons) is being upgraded, and more versatile and efficient autonomous mobile robots (AMR) are entering the picture. The industry is growing at an unprecedented pace, and autonomous warehouse robots are leading the charge.

The challenge is that GNSS does not work inside most buildings

This means your vehicle must operate reliably without the need for GNSS-based position. It also means it must be self-aware and able to navigate an environment with objects that move or are moved around. At the same time, price pressure is high, with customers demanding excellent price-performance ratios, combined with high compatibility.

How Xsens technology can help

Compared to standard IMUs (inertial measurement units), Xsens sensor modules:

Are fully calibrated for a wide variety of sensor characteristics, including sensor bias, temperature, non-linearity, and misalignment
Contain on-board sensor fusion algorithms, including Active Heading Stabilization for reducing heading drift
Provide various hardware interfaces (e.g. CAN, RS232, I2C, SPI, UART, USB) and form factors (e.g. surface-mount, OEM or encased)
Have a full SDK and API as well as an actively maintained ROS driver
Feature a variety of all-in-one solutions

Application note

Indoor mobile robots

Applications

IMU

Our IMU products are small, lightweight, and low on power consumption. This means the MTi Series can be included in indoor robotics designs in order to increase their intelligence and improve their navigational performance and positioning accuracy, especially at higher velocities.

VRU

Our VRUs (vertical reference units) feature an added layer of algorithms. As well as providing roll and pitch output, the VRU also computes heading without the use of any geographic or magnetic reference. This makes the VRU the ideal pick for accurate 3D orientation in environments with magnetic disturbances, such as for AGVs or AMRs in warehouses.