Warehouse Automation System with LED Location and Human-Robot Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automation systems for product transportation in storage areas are inefficient due to reliance on human physical abilities, high costs, and complex location determination processes, limiting scalability and inclusivity.
Innovation Solution
An automation system comprising a base with shelf units, a wheeled vehicle equipped with a riding stand for a human collector, and advanced location determination using LED lighting, UHF, RFID, and UWB technologies, along with a main control unit and cart controller for optimized route planning and product identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If full automation solutions are deployed, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous mobile robot performs product collection and transportation autonomously without human intervention. The robot navigates independently using sensors and processors, executes picking tasks based on received instructions, and returns products to designated locations automatically, enabling self-service operation that improves productivity while avoiding the complexity of centralized full automation
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the automation function into modular components: an autonomous mobile robot for navigation and product handling, wearable devices for human-collector guidance, and a control server for coordination. This segmentation allows selective automation of specific tasks rather than implementing comprehensive full automation, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining productivity benefits
2Device complexity
If human collectors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity is limited by human physical abilities
Solution Approach 1:
A wearable device acts as an intermediary between the human collector and the autonomous robot. The wearable receives instructions from the control server and guides the human collector to product locations, while the autonomous robot independently handles navigation and transportation. This intermediary approach combines human flexibility with automated efficiency, improving productivity without requiring full automation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns tasks between human collectors and autonomous robots based on real-time conditions. The control server coordinates multiple collectors and robots, optimizing task distribution to maximize productivity. This dynamic coordination allows the system to adapt to varying workloads and maintain high efficiency while using simple, non-automated human labor where appropriate
3Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted on carts to determine location, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous mobile robot utilizes multi-functional sensors that serve both navigation and location determination purposes. The same sensors used for obstacle detection and path planning also provide precise location information for product picking. This universal use of sensors achieves high measurement precision without adding dedicated location-determination hardware, reducing system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the object of the present invention, it relates to a product storage area automation system having abase, at least one shelf unit located on this base and on which a various number of products are arranged, a shelf controller associated with this at least one shelf unit, a main control unit configured to communicate with the said shelf controller and equipped with an automation software, and a wheeled vehicle including a cart controller configured to communicate with the said main control unit and a product identity reader configured to read the information on each product. Here, at least one shelf unit includes a number of lighting elements configured to communicate with the said shelf controller and the said wheeled vehicle includes a riding stand so as to carry a human product collector.