Scientists aid developments of warehouse robots
University researchers are helping to develop smart robots to quickly shift goods in warehouses or assembly lines.
The system will help increase efficiency and automation in warehouse operations.
Businesses such as online retailers face an increased need for orders to be automatically selected from vast ranges and volumes of stock.
Faster operation
The system, developed for Hitachi, is almost 40 per cent faster than its predecessor.
It is based on multiple artificially intelligent components that work together.
A smart camera, pre-programmed with details about the goods to be moved, scans items as they are conveyed by an automated vehicle towards a robot arm.
Data collected by the camera influences the speed of the vehicle carrying the goods, and informs how the robot arm picks up items as they pass.
Optimised process
The system’s vehicle and arm can move close to each other at optimal speeds without colliding, based on adaptive motion planning. This allows for smooth collection of items without stopping the vehicle.
The method improves on conventional technology in which the process halts for goods to be collected.
Hitachi will work towards commercialising a robot system for warehouse operations as well as developing technology to increase the speed and automation of processes.
The design of the trajectory, path planning and control of the robotic arm was developed in collaboration with researchers from the School of Informatics.
We are delighted to see the successful results of more than two years of collaboration with the Hitachi R&D Group, Center for Technology Innovation, culminating in practical and deployable improvements in automated warehousing technology. Our robotics lab has been at the forefront of machine learning techniques for adaptive motion planning and control of complex multi-DOF robots and this provides an excellent opportunity to see this expertise used to solve real world problems.