The technology company ABB is expanding its portfolio of fully autonomous mobile robots (AMR) by equipping the AMR "Flexley Mover P604" with 3D Visual-SLAM navigation (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) and the programming software "AMR Studio." This is reported in a press release from May 9.
"ABB has perfected the eyes of robots with AI-powered 3D vision technology, the hands with advanced force sensors, precise control, and machine learning, and the independent mobility through 3D mapping," explains Marc Segura, head of ABB's Robotics Division. "The fusion of these technologies
provides our robots with a comprehensive and dynamic understanding of the world around them. This enables our customers in the automotive, manufacturing, and logistics industries to achieve safer, smarter, and autonomous operations."
According to the company, ABB's Flexley Mover is designed to lift and transport a variety of loads in different environments, thus increasing efficiency in areas such as intralogistics and material provisioning (kitting).
ABB states that the positioning technology achieves an accuracy of ten millimeters. Thanks to an AI learning algorithm, each robot is capable of creating its
own maps of its operational environment and sharing this knowledge securely with other robots in the fleet, it says. This is intended to ensure fully independent, flexible, and scalable navigation even in the presence of people, without requiring additional infrastructure.
Optimize Hardware with AI and Software
According to the press release, the capabilities of the AI-powered 3D imaging are complemented by the innovative ABB software AMR Studio – a platform for creating and configuring routes and tasks for individual AMRs and entire AMR fleets.
This year, ABB plans to
further focus on combining its hardware with artificial intelligence and software to enhance the autonomy and versatility of its solutions, according to its own statements.
"We are in a new era of innovation in robotics. Robots that can perform more tasks in more places faster, safer, and smarter open the door to higher productivity and make investments in specialized skills or infrastructure unnecessary. With our 50-year history as a robotics pioneer, we remain not only a leader in developing the latest technologies but also in their large-scale commercial use,"
