SICK’s NAV-LOC Localisation Sets AGVs
Free from Reflectors
S
ICK has set Automated Guided
Vehicles free from the need for
reflectors or other physical markers
with the all-in-one NAV-LOC localisation
solution, enabling them to navigate
more reliably and efficiently around shop
floor and warehouse environments.
The SICK NAV-LOC (Localisation On
Contour) is an easy-to-set up solution
based on a SICK NAV 360o LiDAR
scanner that can be integrated into
new or existing AGVs. By recognising
the pre-mapped contours of a factory
or warehouse interior, the system
eliminates the need for time-consuming
and costly installation of reflectors,
special paints, tracks, magnetic strips or
coloured tapes.
“The introduction of the SICK NAV-LOC
is an important step forward in the
availability of contour-based localisation
systems from SICK that promise more
flexibility, lower cost of installation and
maintenance for automated transport,
stacking, and loading processes
using AGVs,” says Neil Sandhu, SICK’s
UK Product Manager for Imaging,
Measurement and Ranging.
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“Especially suited to medium and
large AGVs, automated forklifts, shuttle
systems and mobile robots, the beauty
of the SICK NAV-LOC system is that it is
straightforward to set up, and it is easy
to adapt the navigation path when the
surroundings are altered, or the AGV
needs to be redeployed to another area.”
The SICK NAV-LOC system uses precise
2D data from the SICK NAV310 LiDAR
scanner to match its position to a
reference map stored on a SICK SIM2000
Sensor Integration Machine, which is
also mounted on the AGV. As the data is
processed, a SICK algorithm continually
compares the distances retrieved from
the scan data with the reference map
to provide position and orientation
information to the AGV controller.
Setting up the NAV-LOC system begins
by simply ‘teaching’ the on-board SICK
LiDAR scanner prominent contour
features, such as walls, large static
machinery, racking or bays, as the AGV
is driven manually around its working
environment. Then, this data is used
by SICK Service to create a precise
reference map on behalf of the customer
or machine builder, before being
uploaded on the SIM2000, and easily
commissioned on-site using SICK’s
SOPAS engineering tool.
Unlike conventional systems, the SICK
NAV-LOC does not require numerous
reflectors to be positioned in groups of
threes along a route, to enable a laser
scanner to triangulate its position. Tracks
or magnetic strips installed in the floor
or adhered to fittings, or special coloured
or reflective lines, are also redundant.
There is no risk of reflectors or paint
being dirtied or obscured and there is no
routine maintenance or route inspection
needed to minimise possible AGV
disruption.
Designed for robust operation in tough
industrial conditions, the SICK NAV-LOC
scans its contours 8 times a second. With
a working range of up to 250m, it does
not need special lighting and can even
operate reliably with surfaces down to
10% remission at up to 35m distance.
For more information on the SICK NAV-
LOC Scanner, please contact Andrea
Hornby on 01727 831121 or email
[email protected].