Mobile robots
Mobile robotics can be a real game changer in many projects. Mobile robots are powerful tools, which autonomy can take over from humans strenuous or dangerous tasks.
What is an autonomous mobile robot?
An autonomous mobile robot is a robot that can move around in an open or closed space. It does not remain stationary in one position. The autonomous mobile robot can map its environment and navigate on its own, without being controlled by an operator.
Autonomous mobile robots do not need any external relays to operate (such as beacons). Instead, they use SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) technology, which enables them to build a map of their environment in real time, and do some self-localization. If needed, autonomous mobile robots can also be remotely operated.
Usually, an autonomous mobile robot is made up of:
- A chassis (with motors and controller)
- An embedded computer
- A battery
- Sensors (at least a LiDAR)
- Actuators
The sensors and actuators will change depending on the tasks the robot has to perform.
Types of sensors:
- Thermal sensor
- Panoramic camera
- Gas sensor
- Motion sensor
- Microphone
- Etc
Type of actuators:
- Robotic arm
- Screen
- Speakers
- Drone
- Etc
Mobile robots: missions and applications
In which situations can mobile robotics be a real advantage? We won't list the many tasks a robot can take over from humans, there are too many. We will list the one we are familiar with at Génération Robots.
Missions where a robot can be essential, or mandatory:
- Nuclear dismantling
- Space exploration (rovers, sample collection, etc)
- Heavy equipment transport (construction sites, rescue missions, scientific missions, etc.)
- Transport of mail, medication, light equipment, within a single building, a complex or a district
- Robotised cowshed cleaning
- Surveillance and preventive maintenance of sensitive sites (SEVESO sites, airports, oil & gas)
- Etc
How to choose the right mobile robot for your project?
The environment and the terrain are both major considerations, as they cannot be easily changed.
Depending on the environment and the terrain on which the robot will drive, as well as its missions, the locomotion will be different:
- Mecanum wheels ➡ allows lateral movements, suitable for warehouses and indoor navigation (Clearpath Robotics' Dingo robot type)
- All-terrain wheels ➡ for outdoor navigation, suitable for exploration missions, agriculture, etc (RR100 robot type from Generation Robots)
- Tracked ➡ outdoor navigation, on uneven terrain (potholes, small ditches, rocks, steps, etc) (Bunker Pro robot type)
- 4 legs ➡ allows robots to move on stairs or rocks (Spot robot type)
You will also need to consider the following features:
- The payload (does the robot need to carry heavy equipment?)
- Autonomy (an important factor in surveillance and security missions)
- Agility (speed and turning radius)
- The budget allocated to the project
Other factors, such as the possibility to quickly add extra addons, can also be important. Agilex mobile robots are equipped with rails that allow for quick customization.
Finally, ROS/ROS 2 compatibility is often a major factor in the choice of a mobile base, especially for research and R&D centers. All our mobile robots are ROS compatible.
The TEC800 mobile robot is a tracked, remote-controlled UGV unit. It’s a powerful and customisable platform, ideal for research and R&D centres wanting to work on robotics applications.
Spot is designed not only for research and teaching but also for developing industrial and service robotics applications, and will quickly become your faithful corporate companion, always ready to work!
The Warthog ROS mobile robot is an amphibious unmanned ground vehicle of impressive dimensions and with a corresponding payload capacity. Not only that, but it moves quickly too!
Equipped with wheels, the B-W robot can move quickly on flat surfaces (up to 7 m/s).
TThe Spot robotic arm is one of the essential accessories to make your mobile robot even more skilled and autonomous.
The B1 robot dog designed by Unitree Robotics is dust and waterproof and stands out for its agility, speed and ability to carry heavy loads of 40 kg.
Assembled by Génération Robots, ScoutSan is a mobile manipulator robot composed of an Agilex mobile base and a Doosan robotic arm. Designed for research projects, it is equipped with additional sensors to be fully autonomous.
This new camera kit offers an unprecedented collection of sound and image devices for use with the Spot robot. A great way to develop your canine senses!
Both robust and compact, the Boxer Mobile Robot is an indoor platform designed for developing robotic solutions and technologies. 100% ROS, it offers a wide range of possibilities for researchers and designers.
Aliengo is a real-time exploration, navigation and mapping robot designed by Unitree Robotics. While ideal for professional and industrial environments, it’s also an excellent tool for research and teaching.
The Ridgeback robot is an omnidirectional indoor robotic platform capable of moving precisely high loads in a constrained environment. The robot is fully integrated, it is supplied with front and rear laser rangefinders and provides an inertial unit. The Ridgeback robot offers native integration with ROS and Gazebo.
The Shadow Runner RR100 mobile robot is a ROS-compatible outdoor mobile platform dedicated to research and higher education. Designed and manufactured in Bordeaux by our Génération Robots engineers, the Shadow Runner is an off-road and weather-resistant robot. Its great strength? It’s equipped with high-performance sensors in addition to being ROS compatible.
The RR100 is the education and research version of the GR100, a professional model with embedded localisation and navigation software designed by our own engineers.
You’d like your Spot robot to be even more sensitive to its environment? Spot CAM+ is a robotics accessory pack designed to make your robot see the world through rose-coloured glasses and in cinemascope!
This radio kit makes Spot’s WiFi network more efficient (range and speed).
The AgileX Robotics mobile robot Titan is designed to provide exceptional maneuverability with its Ackermann steering system, both in the front and rear.
The Bunker Pro mobile robot is a tracked UGV robot with a heavy-duty design. It can handle the toughest terrain, both indoors and out, while putting up a solid defence against dust and water.
The Ranger 4WS4WD Robot features a four-wheel drive and steering configuration, allowing it to traverse rugged terrain and uneven surfaces easily.
Boston Dynamics has designed a whole host of accessories you can attach to the back of its four-legged Spot robot. This CAM pack gives it panoramic colour vision plus some extra bonuses.
SPOT EAP 2: the second version of a package designed to improve the autonomy of your Spot robot dog. Equipped with a Velodyne VLP-16 lidar and SPOT CORE I/O processor.
The AgileX Hunter 2.0 UGV is an ultra-tough mobile robot designed for heavy loads and precise, low-speed driving scenarios.
Navis is a autonomous navigation system compatible with all AgileX's robotic platforms. It is designed for semi-enclosed and fully enclosed scenarios.
Scout 2.0 is an indoor and outdoor mobile platform, dedicated to the development of multiple applications in higher education, research and industry. This mobile robot is CE certified.
Interested in meeting a real mobile robot, both weatherproof and all-terrain, that’s as fast on a dirt road as on the lino in your kitchen? Check out the Jackal Unmanned Ground Vehicle, a robust, rapid, compact and what’s more extremely flexible robotised platform!