SEAT employs autonomous robots for in-factory logistics

It is not a solution that factories are today completely inhabited by robots. Automatic production procedures allow for better performance and speed up generation very a bit. But robots are not just big arms connecting various pieces with each other. In SEAT factory in Martorell there are some robots on wheels that share roadways with pedestrians, lorries, bicycles and autos. 

AGV is equipped to carry hundreds of up to 10 tonnes at speeds of 1 meter for each next. Picture credit score: SEAT

Mass generation of autos is an particularly included procedure. A variety of elements arrive from suppliers and have to be assembled into vehicles. It is as a lot of a logistics operation as it is assembly. And that’s where these AGV (automatic guided vehicles) robots arrive in.

AGV are autonomous vehicles that drive about SEAT factory in Martorell. They do not go into public roadways, but the targeted traffic program within of the territory of the factory is nonetheless very complex. There are targeted traffic lights, pedestrians, trucks, bicycles and other vehicles. All of this tends to make the occupation of autonomous robots very complex.

AGV robots converse with each and every other by means of 4G to guarantee that they will not get in a way of each and every other. Picture credit score: SEAT

AGV employs SLAM navigation recognition (simultaneous localisation and mapping) and 4G link to guarantee complete handle of operations and autonomous journey all over the designated space. These devices are completely electrical and demand their batteries by means of induction charging. In simple fact, AGV get billed though they are stopped to load elements on to them.

Most likely the most remarkable element about AGV technologies is that it does not element any cables, rails or other advice aids to help these robots to remain on track. They only browse their surroundings – each and every AGV has a digicam, which allows robots memorizing the route. Subsequent time they go on that specific route all they have to do is repeat it. These robots also converse with each and every other and their surroundings making use of 4G technologies. Of study course, they end for targeted traffic lights and if there is some type of an obstacle on their way.

There are signals, warning persons that there are AGV robots, but they avoid hurdles by them selves. Picture credit score: SEAT

Every convoy can weigh up to 10 tonnes. They transfer at speeds of about 1 metre for each next. They function with no cables, no advice and no substantial supervising. Victor Palacios, a logistics engineer at SEAT and the head of the task, mentioned: “There are eight of them and they are not all on the transfer at the same time. When one particular of them leaves the loading space, it notifies the future one particular, which is in the waiting space, to take its area. If two of them cross paths, they also converse with each and every other to reduce their speed”.

Robots are never ever going to exchange persons, but that’s not the position. These AGV robots boost logistics operations in the factory, earning the complete procedure a lot more effective and, likely, safer. This could necessarily mean that persons are absolutely free to do other a lot more mentally-engaging work.

 

Resource: SEAT