MANUFACTURING TIDBITS
MODEX 2020 Features Integration with WMS, MES, and ERP via Robot Computing Systems by NIC TEMPLE
While there will be many AMRs on display at MODEX 2020, only ForwardX provides a Visual Autonomous Mobile Robot. Rather than relying on LiDAR SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) like most competitors on the market, ForwardX’s robots depend on a sensor fusion solution with Global Award-winning Computer Vision (CV) being the primary source for localization and obstacle avoidance with LiDAR, Encoder, and IMU data as secondary feedback to the control loop. LiDAR is 2D, so 3D CV technology offers a richer source of data, and a more robust solution far better-suited to everchanging warehouse, distribution center, and cellular manufacturing environments. Given the proliferation of warehouses, distribution centers, direct to consumer (D2C) business models, fleets of AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), questioning the validity of innovation is worthy of examination. Unlike in prior years when attendees would walk the show floor for days, many are using the MHI MODEX app and visiting for just a single day. For that reason, a compelling innovation from ForwardX (Booth 1207) should be the first stop for serious AMR decision-makers.
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Manufacturing Outlook / February 2020
Integration with WMS, MES, and ERP via Robot Computing Systems Another innovation element that will be on display at MODEX 2020 will be ForwardX’s Edge/Cloud based architecture. At the edge, Robot Computing System (RCS) includes the multi-sensor fusion, computer vision based deep learning, local path planning ability based on V-SLAM and reinforcement learning. In the cloud resides the Robotic Process Manager (RPM). The RPM includes a multi-agent cluster scheduling system. It receives tasks from operators, such as Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). The robots holistically assign global tasks and intelligent paths for the robots, greatly increasing efficiency, improving throughput and reducing downtime. The AI innovation critical for fleets of AMRs For smaller operations with one or two AMRs, perhaps Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be less important. When there are 10 to 100 AMRs navigating a large material handling operation AI is not an option.