Visual SLAM navigation! ABB unleashes new potential of AMR

In the ever-changing manufacturing environment, flexible and efficient material handling is essential. Currently, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are reshaping logistics operations and becoming a key driver of the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry . The latest AMR product T702 from ABB and its supporting software are committed to pushing smart logistics to a new level.

Recently, ABB Robotics announced the launch of its first Flexley Tug T702 autonomous mobile robot (AMR). ABB equipped Flexley with AI-based Visual SLAM navigation technology and new AMR Studio software. The company said that this technology simplifies configuration and can reduce commissioning time by up to 20%.

Visual SLAM

The biggest highlight of T702 is that it uses AI-based Visual SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) navigation technology. By combining 3D vision with artificial intelligence, AMR can intelligently identify fixed and moving objects in the environment, autonomously create maps and update them at any time. This gives the robot the ability to operate autonomously in dynamic and complex environments.

Compared with the traditional navigation method of encoding static maps, visual SLAM greatly improves the adaptability and flexibility of AMR. AMR does not require expensive infrastructure transformation and can be put into use with only a small amount of debugging, reducing the deployment time from weeks to days. In addition, AMR can share updated maps across operating environments, making it easy to scale up.

Sevensense was spun off from ETH Zurich in 2018 and specializes in visual SLAM technology. ABB invested in Sevensense in 2021 and acquired ASTI Mobile Robotics for $190 million in the same year. In the past few years, ABB has already penetrated its visual navigation capabilities into its own AMR product line.

AMR Studio

Visual SLAM is just one of the highlights of ABB's new AMR products. AMR Studio software provides it with comprehensive orchestration and management capabilities. The software has a user-friendly interface and is easy to operate. Users can easily deploy and manage the entire AMR fleet without programming knowledge.

AMR Studio runs through the entire process from environment mapping to task generation and supports visual operations. It also has built-in intelligent algorithms to efficiently allocate transportation tasks. At the same time, real-time data monitoring and traceability analysis ensure the transparency and controllability of the entire logistics system.

Scalability is another major selling point of AMR Studio. The software allows users to directly modify existing routes and add new routes, making it easy to dynamically scale the AMR fleet. For the manufacturing industry, this high degree of flexibility is no less than a shot in the arm, helping companies to respond quickly to market changes.

Last words

This AMR product launched by ABB not only demonstrates advanced autonomous navigation and intelligent logistics technologies, but also reflects the macro trend of digital transformation in the manufacturing industry.

In the era of Industry 4.0 , relying on human resources to manage material flow can no longer meet the needs of flexible and intelligent production. As a new logistics model, AMR is significantly superior to traditional transport vehicles in terms of flexibility, autonomy and economy, and is regarded as an ideal entry point for intelligent manufacturing.

With the help of AMR, enterprises can create flexible intelligent logistics systems, achieve seamless integration of digital workshops, and enable enterprises to build agile and efficient supply chains, thereby gaining a competitive advantage in an increasingly complex and changing market environment.