Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), or Autonomous Mobile Robots, can avoid obstacles or people without stopping. As a result, the safety features required by ISO 3691-4 are very complex. Especially when turning, it is necessary to be able to switch between multiple protected areas to ensure that collisions between humans and machines are prevented and unnecessary downtime is avoided.

Dynamic zone switching

The synchronization of all axes on the AMR can be reliably monitored through a new function module for synchronization monitoring in the PNOZmulti software tool PNOZmulti Configurator. The program function can compare the encoder values of the two axes to draw conclusions about the direction of movement of the moving platform.

With this information, the safety zone switching required in the standard can be dynamically performed in the safety laser scanner PSENscan, the second component of the Pilz safety solution. This is achieved through the PSENscan function module, also new in PNOZmulti Configurator: PSENscan dynamically switches up to 70 protected areas using the “Region Selection function”. At high speeds, the protected area is larger to ensure early detection of obstacles. At slower speeds, the protection area can be reduced accordingly to minimize downtime. As a result, AMR can operate safely and efficiently.

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Simple positioning and navigation

The configurations created in the PSENscan Configurator can be imported and processed in the navigation computer for the free navigation platform. The security laser scanner PSENscan provides laser beam distance data for positioning and navigation of mobile applications. Data is transmitted over UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and can be queried through the C++ library or the standard open interface of ROS (Robot operating System). This gives the user flexibility and makes it easy to create a map of the environment for navigation.

Prevents unauthorized access

As a free navigation platform, the AMR communicates with its main controller via radio. This makes them vulnerable to external attacks, leading to unauthorized access to or tampering with data. Map data will be stolen, and in the worst case, AMR and ongoing production tasks will be stopped. The industrial firewall SecurityBridge protects the network from tampering and ensures that any unauthorized person cannot access the mobile platform’s internal IT network during operation. It completes Pilz’s portfolio of solutions for mechanical safety and industrial information security for autonomous mobile robots.

Perfect service project

Over the years, Pilz has also provided AGV operators with a full range of services to enable AGV safety applications. Pilz’s services begin with the development of safety concepts at the design stage and continue through commissioning, even providing international conformity assessment, including training, upon request. As a result, Pilz meets the requirements of standard ISO 3691-4 and also guarantees productivity in operation.