Redundant AMR Safety Localization for Safe Point Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety systems for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) lack functional safety in localizing safe points of interest, leading to reduced productivity due to unnecessary reduction in speed and force, as they cannot unambiguously identify safe positions, and there is a lack of standardized communication protocols and powerful safety controllers for safe localization.
Innovation Solution
A redundant safety system that utilizes a combination of localization and detection systems to identify safe points of interest by evaluating position and feature data, activating a safety zone associated with these points, allowing for the switching between primary and secondary safety functions based on recognized safe positions and features, using diverse technologies like LIDAR and RFID for precise localization and identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the primary safety function of collision avoidance is switched off to enable docking and collaboration maneuvers, then the automation process can proceed without interruptions, but the functional safety cannot be unambiguously determined and productivity is reduced due to speed and force reductions
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system is segmented into multiple independent localization systems (LIDAR-based localization, contour recognition, position detection) that operate in parallel. Each system provides independent verification of the safe point of interest, allowing the automation process to proceed with high confidence in safety determination without requiring speed reductions.
2Reliability
If the drive speed and force of the autonomous vehicle are reduced to maintain safety, then collision avoidance is ensured, but the productivity of the autonomous vehicle is greatly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system dynamically adapts its response based on the confidence level of localization. When multiple independent systems confirm the vehicle is at a safe point of interest, the system maintains normal drive speed and force. Speed reduction is applied only when localization confidence is insufficient, optimizing both safety and productivity.
3Loss of information
If contour recognition fields are used to identify safe points of interest, then static objects can be recognized, but a safe point of interest cannot be unambiguously identified in the sense of functional safety engineering
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple independent localization systems (LIDAR contour recognition, position detection systems, and other sensing technologies) are merged to provide comprehensive verification of safe points of interest. The combination of these systems creates unambiguous identification that meets functional safety engineering requirements, overcoming the limitations of any single system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method using a redundant safety system and a redundant safety system for a mobile machine having at least one controller, having a first localization system for localizing a position of at least one safe point of interest, having a detection system for detecting a feature of the safe point of interest, wherein a position of the safe point of interest can be detected by means of the localization system and a feature of the safe point of interest can be detected by means of the detection system, with a safe zone of interest associated with the safe point of interest being able to be activated by means of the controller on detection of the position of the safe point of interest and of the feature of the safe point of interest.