Ohne Einweisung: mit dem multiScan1xx navigieren AGCs selbständig

Waldkirch, Februar 2023 – SICK launcht den kompakten und präzisen 3D-LiDar-Sensor multiScan100. Damit unterstützt das Unternehmen die Entwicklung autonomer industrieller Fahrzeuge im Innen- und Außenbereich und verstärkt den Fokus auf digitale Softwarelösungen, um einen zusätzlichen Kundennutzen über die reinen Messdaten hinaus anzubieten.

Auf der letzten SPS in Nürnberg konnten die Besucher schon einen ersten Blick auf die neue multiScan100 Produktfamilie werfen, welche als eine Lösung für die Konturnavigation von industriellen Fahrzeugen ausgestellt wurde. Mit der ersten Variante, dem multiScan136, können mobile Plattformen wie AGVs oder Serviceroboter eigenständig eine neue Umgebung erkunden und davon eine Karte erstellen, die im Produktivbetrieb zur Navigation und Lokalisierung genutzt werden kann. Der LiDAR Sensor liefert 3D-Messdaten in Kombination einer hochauflösenden 0° Scanlage, die für eine präzise Selbstlokalisierung der autonomen Fahrzeuge bei gleichzeitiger Kartierung der Umgebung (SLAM, für Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) verwendet werden können. Darüber hinaus lassen sich durch die 3D-Punktewolke Absturzkanten oder Hindernisse erkennen.

Der 3D-LiDAR-Sensor multiScan136 mit 360° Rundumblick erreicht Dank der bis zu 690.000 Messpunkte eine State-of-the-Art Präzision, der nichts in seinem Umfeld entgeht. Mit seiner kompakten Bauform von circa 10 cm und industrieller Schnittstellen ist eine hohe Integrationsfreundlichkeit gewährleistet. Der Sensor lässt sich durch sein robustes Design und einer IP-Schutzklasse von bis zu 69k in rauen Umgebungen einsetzen. Durch die bewährte Multi-Echo-Technologie und seinem statistischen Messverfahren ist auch unter schlechten Bedingungen im Außenbereich eine präzise Umgebungserfassung sichergestellt. Somit ist der multiScan136 danke einer hohen Messgenauigkeit und einem geringen Messwertrauschen nicht nur für eine präzise Feinpositionierung im Innenbereich einsetzbar, sondern auch mühelos für die Umgebungserfassung im Außenbereich. Mit dem großen vertikalen Öffnungswinkel von 65° entgeht ihm dabei nichts, wodurch sich Kollisionen im Einsatz mobiler Outdoor Automation vermeiden lassen. Neben mobilen Anwendungen lässt sich der Sensor durch sein großes Sichtfeld auch für stationäre Anwendung im Objektschutz für Building Security (Objektsicherheit), Traffic (Verkehr) oder Smart City Applikationen wie Personenstromerfassung einsetzten.

Mit dem multiScan136 macht SICK einen weiteren Schritt in Richtung 3D-LiDAR Technologie und verstärkt den Fokus auf digitale Softwarelösungen, um einen zusätzlichen Kundennutzen über die reinen Messdaten hinaus anzubieten. Somit sind die präzisen Messdaten nur der erste Schritt für weitere Funktionen, die sich ohne weitere Recheneinheit direkt auf dem Sensor auswerten lassen.

LDROBOT Announces Launch of LD-AIR LiDAR – Ultra-Small & High-Precision TOF Sensor For Robotic Applications

LDROBOT a high-tech enterprise focusing on the research and development of advanced robotics, has announced the launch of LD-AIR LiDAR a ready-to-use compliant laser sensor with 360° sensing capabilities. This affordable LiDAR component makes any robot smarter and is available now on Kickstarter.

The ability to recognize objects and the environment is a key feature of many robots. LiDAR enables robots to scan their surroundings, make highly accurate maps, and navigate freely. Using advanced technology, LD-AIR LiDAR is a high-accuracy TOF sensor with 360° scanning range which is able to sense the surrounding environment by taking up to 4500 laser ranging samples per second to actualize obstacle detection and autonomously map any area.

LD-AIR LiDAR was created to serve business and research purposes that require robot navigation and obstacle avoidance. For robot developers, this essential component makes robots more useful and intelligent at an affordable price.  

 “In today’s advanced robots, LiDAR sensors are being widely used. The ability to quickly scan an area and create highly accurate maps is essential for applications such as archeology, geography and autonomous cars. And lately, consumer robots are using this technology in creative ways that make smart home applications and service robots smarter. Unfortunately, the cost of highly accurate LiDAR sensors is very high which puts this useful technology out of reach for many. Our goal at LDROBOT Group, was to make LiDAR accessible to everyone by creating a compact and affordable LiDAR with powerful features that is small enough to fit in virtually any device. Now, robotics innovators, makers, and hobbyists can harness the power of LiDAR to make more powerful, useful and convenient robots.”

As an affordable yet full-featured LiDAR solution, LD-AIR LiDAR can be readily applied to the design of working services robots for tasks such as route setting and automatic responsive behaviors. It is a Ready-To-Use compliant laser sensor that is small and versatile enough to fit in any appliance. With an aim toward improving consumer service robots LD-AIR LiDAR has important safety features built-in. It is Certified LD FDA Class 1 Laser Safety Standard, and uses a low power infrared laser light as its light source, effectiveness and eye safety for humans and pets. 

LD-AIR LiDAR – Ultra-Small & High-Precision TOF Sensor is available now on Kickstarter with special pricing for early supporters. Learn more here: [Link]

Jabil Optics Introduces Powerful Omnidirectional Sensor

Low-cost, wide field-of-view, 3D time-of-flight sensor introduced to ever-expanding robotics market

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jabil Inc. (NYSE: JBL) today announced that its renowned optical design center in Jena, Germany is currently developing a novel omnidirectional sensor for robotic and industrial platforms. By combining a custom optical assembly with an innovative active illumination approach, a new 3D time-of-flight (ToF) depth sensor with an industry-leading 360° x 60° field of view is being developed. The ground-breaking, solid-state design is one of several sensing systems Jabil’s optical business unit (Jabil Optics) is designing to support lower-cost autonomous mobile robotics and collaborative robotics platforms.

In contrast to conventional ToF cameras, the immersive field of view of Jabil’s omnidirectional sensor allows for seamless detection and tracking of objects in a robot’s path, aimed at improving both obstacle avoidance and worker safety. Additionally, Jabil’s inventive use of scene information to dynamically control illumination significantly reduces sensor noise while improving both data quality and power management.

“A mission of Analog Devices is to enable the autonomous mobile robot revolution by providing high performance and highly differentiated signal chains that bridge the gap between the analog and digital worlds,” said Donnacha O’Riordan, director of Analog Devices, Inc (ADI). “The Jabil omnidirectional sensor is one of the most innovative implementations of the ADI depth-sensing technology we have encountered. Jabil’s wide field-of-view, depth-sensing approach is opening up new possibilities for human interaction with robots.”

Market-Driven Innovation

The Jabil Optics team is optimizing the performance of the omnidirectional sensor to address the needs of the rapidly changing robotics industry. “Our design goal is to provide customers with optimal sensor performance in the smallest, lowest cost and lowest power solution possible,” said Ian Blasch, senior director of business development, Jabil Optics. “Factors such as data formats, on-sensor processing and connectivity are moving targets in the quickly evolving robotics industry. Our beta-testing program for the omnidirectional sensor will allow us to continue to collect targeted feedback from customers and partners in the robotics ecosystem.”

For nearly two decades, Jabil Optics has been recognized by leading technology companies as the premier service provider for advanced optical design, industrialization and manufacturing. With more than 170 employees across four locations, Jabil Optics’ designers, engineers and researchers specialize in solving complex optical problems for its customers in 3D sensing, augmented and virtual reality, action camera, automotive, industrial and healthcare markets. Additionally, Jabil Optics customers leverage expertise in product design, process development, testing, in-house active alignment (from Kasalis, a technology division of Jabil), supply chain management and manufacturing expertise.

The Jabil omnidirectional sensor beta development kit is available. To request the kit, click here.

About Jabil:

Jabil (NYSE: JBL) is a manufacturing solutions provider with over 260,000 employees across 100 locations in 30 countries. The world’s leading brands rely on Jabil’s unmatched breadth and depth of end-market experience, technical and design capabilities, manufacturing know-how, supply chain insights and global product management expertise. Driven by a common purpose, Jabil and its people are committed to making a positive impact on their local community and the environment. Visit www.jabil.com to learn more.

EV3 Sensor Adapter for NXT or Arduino

I just stumbled across the following on the mindsensors.com products:

EV3 Sensor Adapter for NXT or Arduino

 

Using this adapter, you can attach new EV3 sensors to your NXT or Arduino.
(This is basically a UART to I2C adapter).

  • For NXT, works with BricxCC, and new EV3 IDE for NXT
  • Lightweight and small design, that fits in-line with your sensor and brick
  • Use with Arduino with NXShield

 

I will test this adapter in the near future and write more about it here. Because the adapter is not supporting NXT-G, but the new EV3 IDE together with the NXT brick, this will then also be my first time using the new software with the „old“ NXT hardware.