Rohm develops new transport robot that can operate without a map

The role of AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) in logistics and manufacturing is expanding. Amid labor shortages, AGVs and AMRs that can work alongside people in factories and warehouses are becoming valuable assets across industries.

However, AGVs require guides such as tape or 2D markers on the floor to set up routes, while AMRs cannot be operated immediately after purchase. Because navigation plans and mapping are required before the system can be operated, it takes a lot of time and money to implement, so there is a high risk. In addition, emergency response and maintenance when problems arise must be considered. In fact, many people find that the high cost is not worth the effort of automation at all - depending on the tasks they want to assign to AGVs or AMRs.

Therefore, ROHM is quietly developing a new cost-effective robot navigation technology that can be quickly deployed in situations where it is inconvenient or unnecessary to use AGVs and AMRs. This represents a completely new type of robotic solution that could bring greater convenience to future society. In this article, we will discuss ROHM's new navigation technology, NoMaDbot™ (No Map Driving Robot).

*NoMaDbot™ is a trademark or registered trademark of ROHM Co., Ltd.

1. Challenges faced by sites after widespread adoption of AGVs and AMRs

As smart technology continues to advance, transport robots such as AGVs and AMRs are expanding their roles in industrial facilities, factories, and logistics sites. However, with this progress, some challenges have emerged.

In recent years, AMRs have received particular attention because of their advanced features that can improve the operating environment. However, many people are hesitant to introduce such systems due to reasons including high implementation costs, the need for dedicated SIers (system integrators: engineers who build systems), time-consuming setup, and frequent system

Many simple tasks on site do not require high-performance robots.

For example, when transporting objects from point A to point B with a traditional AGV, it is necessary to install guide rails using magnetic tapes, etc. AMRs are more complex, using a technology called SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) to simultaneously self-localize and map. But implementation requires specialized engineers called SIers to design the specifications and navigation plan for the facility, because the system can only operate after a map is created. Therefore, it may take up to several months after purchase to be fully operational. In addition, if the facility layout changes, the entire process may have to be repeated.

While high-performance transport robots such as AMRs are very effective in environments with complex routes, high requirements for facility accuracy and speed, and layouts that do not change over time, advanced performance and coordination capabilities are not required for simple tasks, such as transporting waste or defective products to disposal areas or delivering packages from A to B. At the same time, in environments with frequent layout changes such as distribution warehouses, supermarkets, and event halls, the time-consuming process of building a map-based system poses a significant barrier to the adoption of existing transport robots.

Is it possible to create a simpler, lower-cost, "carry-only" transport robot?

Based on this type of customer feedback, ROHM began developing a new robotic navigation technology called NaMaDbot™.

2. Organisms can reach their destination without a map

The development of NoMaDbot™ started from the premise that living things do not need a map to reach their destination.

For example, animals and insects use the general direction, approximate distance, and situational judgment when heading to a destination.

It’s the same with humans. We may rely on maps and navigation when traveling long distances, but not when going to the local supermarket. Even if it’s a supermarket you’ve never been to, you should be able to get there as long as you know the approximate direction and distance. Also, if the road is closed due to construction or there are obstacles such as parked cars, you can quickly adapt to the situation by avoiding or taking a detour.

The question then becomes, “Is it possible to equip transport robots with flexible autonomous navigation capabilities similar to those of living organisms?”

The NoMaDbot™ development team’s goal was to determine how to estimate the approximate direction to a destination while detecting and avoiding obstacles along the way.

Driving technology based on approximate direction

3. NoMaDbot™ Technology 1: Determine Direction

NoMaDbot™ stands for No-Map Robot. Basically, it means autonomous driving technology that does not use maps.

The first core technology that makes this possible is “direction estimation,” which is used to determine the direction to reach a destination.

For NoMaDbot™, the destination is a smart tag (in the future this could be a smartphone) that acts as a transmitter. NoMaDbot™ detects the radio waves emitted from the transmitter to estimate its direction.

It can only go as far as the destination smart tag, but that's good enough for simple shipping purposes.

Although it is not possible to program complex routes like an AMR, by combining multiple smart tags and switching them in sequence, it is possible to perform operations such as "deliver a package from A to B and then to C."

Estimated direction to destination

4. NoMaDbot™ core technology 2: echolocation

Another core technology is "echolocation", which is used to avoid obstacles along the way. Echolocation is the process of detecting and understanding the distance, direction and size of objects by analyzing the reflection of emitted ultrasonic waves or sounds. This technology is inspired by dolphins, whales and bats, which use echolocation to achieve spatial perception.

Incorporating echolocation into its navigation algorithm enables NoMaDbot™ to detect and avoid obstacles.

Echolocation

5. Direction estimation + echolocation = no map required

Combining the two core technologies of "direction estimation" and "echolocation" can realize the world's first new autonomous driving technology that does not require maps.

While it may not offer the advanced coordination and control that traditional SLAM-based AMRs do, it is well suited for many situations where the mission is simply “transport cargo.” Additionally, adopting this new navigation technology frees SIers from having to build a map-based system, allowing them to be operational from day one. And of course, it will not be impacted by changes in facility layout or location of operations.

Is there any benefit to not using a map?

6. Further advantages of “mapless” robot driving technology

The benefits of not requiring maps extend beyond lower costs and faster implementation.

Since there is no map used in the first place, the system will never freeze due to losing its position. In other words, it is a robust self-driving system that can withstand unexpected situations.

At the same time, NoMaDbot™ driving algorithms are not targeted at fixed points on a map, but at transmitters such as smart tags, so that even if the destination moves, it can be reached without any problems as long as it is within the radio range.

It can also perform tasks that are difficult to accomplish with traditional SLAM-based driving technology, such as “delivering a package by tracking Mr. A whose position changes in real time” or “following Mr. A to track and transport a package.”

7. Reasons why ROHM develops autonomous driving technology

So why did Rohm start developing autonomous driving technology?

ROHM hopes to achieve a society where everyone can use autonomous robots.

ROHM uses many basic technologies such as MEMS, AFE and small MCU to create new solutions consistent with its expertise in this field, including the world's first drive technology NoMaDbot™.

Why did ROHM develop NoMaDbot™?

8. NoMaDbot™ Application Areas

ROHM would like to emphasize that NoMaDbot™ has no intention of denying or competing with AGV or AMR technology.

AGVs are suitable for situations where the driving route is predetermined, while AMRs are suitable for situations where full automation is required, and if cheap and simple automation is required, NoMaDbot™ is an ideal choice.

For example, in places where the layout changes frequently depending on the time of day or season, such as transit warehouses, or where items need to be passed from one person to another, such as supermarkets, event halls, and construction sites. Suitable for places such as factories where defective products and garbage other than goods are transported. If the only task is to transport items, it is simpler and more convenient than AGV and AMR. This is the advantage of NoMaDbot™.

NoMaDbot™ is ideal for a range of applications

As development progresses, we can expect to see even more convenient and widespread applications and environments, such as tracking people carrying smart tags or linking with smartphone apps.

NoMaDbot™ looks to the future society

9. NoMaDbot™’s vision for the future of industrial society

The goal of NoMaDbot™ is to “create a society where everyone can use autonomous robots.”

In situations where high-performance robots are not needed, using simple transport robots that can carry things more easily at a lower cost will increase productivity and help promote automation in manufacturing and logistics.

In addition, by utilizing the concept of sensor fusion, NoMaDbot™ has the potential to be further developed. Although we are currently developing the system only on the ground, we plan to achieve operation in special environments such as the sky and the ocean in the future.