They can detect obstacles and safely maneuver around them by choosing the best alternative route. Unlike AGVs, AMRs do not rely on fixed routes. Like the autonomous mobile robots of MiR, they use cameras, sensors, and laser scanners along with sophisticated software to construct maps and navigate autonomously. Changing the fixed routes for AGVs involves additional costs and disruptions.ĪMRs: In contrast, AMRs are equipped with intelligent navigation capabilities. They can detect obstacles but cannot navigate around them, so they stop until the obstacle is removed. AGVs have minimal onboard intelligence and can only follow simple programming instructions. These routes are predefined and require extensive installation, which can be costly and disruptive to production. The floor should not be considered a commodity, but instead be chosen based on the automation’s requirements.Do you need f ixed routes or intelligent navigation ?ĪGVs: AGVs operate on fixed routes guided by wires, magnetic strips, or sensors. McGill: Before selecting a floor, involve the robotic supplier to ensure that any testing and evaluation happen early on. Q: Any other robotic flooring recommendations? As a result, millions of square feet of ResinDek panels are in service worldwide with robotic traffic in distribution centers, warehouses, and retail environments. In the last decade, we have provided a variety of ResinDek flooring products to numerous AGV and AMR manufacturers for their testing labs. McGill: Our ResinDek® floor panels specified with either TriGard® or MetaGard® finishes have been extensively tested with robotics for coefficient of friction, surface roughness, wear resistance, and light reflectivity. Q: What other flooring alternatives to concrete are there? Wear resistance: Robotic traffic is highly repetitive, so the floor’s wear resistance is incredibly important to its longevity.Robots navigating via lasers that aim down to read waypoints on the floor can be confused by a shiny finish. Reflectivity: Shiny finishes reflect more light than dull ones.Flat, level surface: The swales, dips, and valleys common in concrete flooring can cause a robot to roll away from its intended path.Coefficient of friction: Has the floor been tested for coefficient of friction and surface roughness? Will the robot operate on the floor as intended?.Capacity: Has the floor, its steel decking, and elevated structure been engineered to handle both the robots and their loads?.McGill: There are five things to look for: Q: What flooring attributes are most important in a robotic application? If the floor is not level, the robot could roll away from its target point, requiring downtime and manual intervention to get it back to its proper position. If the floor is worn or has uneven surface, it can disrupt the functioning of laser-based navigation.Ĭoncrete tends to crack and spall over time this can lead to wear and tear on the robot wheels and hardware. The surface of the floor must not impede the robot’s movement. McGill: To maximize efficiency, AMRs and AGVs must move quickly and consistently to maintain workflow. Scott McGill, director of sales at Cornerstone Specialty Wood Products ( ), shared several key considerations when specifying automated flooring: Q: How can a floor impact a robot’s operation? When AGVs and AMRs are to be used on upper levels, the right flooring is critical to ensure they function as intended. The market for autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, and automatic guided vehicles, or AGVs, is expected to reach $13.2 billion by 2026, according to Research and Markets.įulfillment operations are adding more elevated work platforms and mezzanines to increase capacity.
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