Today’s robotics developers have made enormous strides thanks to developments in artificial intelligence (AI), edge-computing, and camera technology, creating totally autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that can replicate human activities. Robots can now carry out various duties previously only performed by humans, from independent navigation to fertiliser distribution and many other kinds of material handling.
This human-machine collaboration employing robots in retail stores, agricultural areas, warehouses, schools, hospitals, industries, and the like, is greatly facilitated by vision and cameras. Here, we examine how embedded vision has improved human life in various fields by turning cameras into the “eyes” of mobile, autonomous robots.
AMRs and embedded vision
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can perform activities independently with little to no human intervention, as the name indicates. In order to accomplish this, AMRs must see and comprehend their environment accurately, often making decisions and judgments in real-time, using embedded vision, the technology that powers this capability.
The term “embedded vision” describes the integration of camera modules within embedded electronics and devices, such as a robot. These cameras play the critical role of assisting these robots in securely navigating around their intended environment. This requires employing specialised camera types that have been painstakingly created and integrated to produce the kind of photos and videos, that are needed.
While the global AMR market is anticipated to rise to $8.70 billion by the year 2028, the machine vision camera market is expected to reach $2.2 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 9.9% between FY 2022 and 2027.AMRs are today employed in a variety of fields and for a range of applications, including:
- Warehouses for transportation, managing supplies, keeping track of inventories, cleaning, etc.
- Deliveries, patrolling, and agricultural tasks, including weeding, harvesting, and fertilising.
- Concierge services, pickup services, and shelf management at retail establishments
- Offices, hospitals, massive building projects, restaurants, and more
Camera-equipped robots in warehousing
Robots have been crucial in helping warehouse managers automate various operations, bringing down manpower requirements and increasing efficiency. These jobs include picking and depositing products, loading and unloading materials, transporting commodities, and more. Camera-equipped robots are today employed in a variety of capacities in warehousing operations, including the following:
- Pick and place: These robots accurately pick and position itemsom and onto warehouse shelves. This is made feasible by utilising cameras to detect and, in certain situations, locate the position of an object.
- Goods-to-person: These autonomous robots employ cameras to determine depth, carrying out automated storage and retrieval functions seamlessly for flawless navigation.
- Automatic forklifts: These robotic forklifts are equipped with cameras that employ vision to make it easier to load, unload, lift, and move large and heavy items.
- Inventory management: Robots and drones are also used to keep an eye on warehouse storage and inventories. They have cameras for object identification and barcode/RFID scanning.
- Robotic appendage: These mechanised arms are often employed in industries for tasks like heavy lifting, material handling, and machine maintenance. Here, cameras assist in finding, locating, and detecting the things that need to be handled.
Cameras powering automated last-mile delivery
Robotic delivery services are used both indoors and outdoors to bring food, parcels, and other things to. They function similarly when utilised indoors in establishments including offices, hospitals, and restaurants. The cameras employed in delivery robots help assess the depth and keep an eye on the packages being delivered. While indoor applications have cameras aiming outwards, most outdoor delivery robots have cameras mounted within the vehicle.
Intelligent mobile surveillance
Patrol robots are sophisticated surveillance tools that can monitor properties around the clock for theft, trespassing, or other illegal activities. They often employ a multi-camera set-up to enable 360-degree vision since they need to have a full picture of their surroundings. The robots also depend on the cameras for navigation, especially when moving about in busy areas.
Agricultural robots for smart farming
Harvesting robots, autonomous tractors, weeders, and more are widely used in agriculture today. They require cameras to automate crucial agricultural chores, including ploughing, sprinkling fertiliser, spotting pests and weeds, picking fruits and vegetables, harvesting crops, and monitoring the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), among others. Agricultural robots employ cameras for autonomous navigation much like other robots do.
Robotics in retail and shopping
In this age of physical and online shopping, AMRs are often used to enhance both the customer and employee experience at retail establishments. Here are a few examples of what these AMRs do:
In this age of physical and online shopping, AMRs are often used to enhance both the customer and employee experience at retail establishments. Here are a few examples of what these AMRs do:
- Shoppers can use concierge services to help them find the things or area they’re looking for.
- To complete online purchases, robots can transport goods to the retail location’s curbside pickup area.
- They also help keep an eye on the on-shelf inventory so that the retail employees may replace the shelves in a timely manner, enabling smooth and seamless retail logistics.
- Staff members can help customers from a distance, employing telepresence robots for remote communication and support. The usage of these robots for staff communication is also possible.
Hence, cameras in retail robots are utilised for a wide range of functions including barcode scanning, object identification, navigation, and communication, as well as in restaurants, hotels, and other retail establishments for delivery and companion or concierge services.
Robotics-based medical assistance
Robotics is used in telemedicine devices, diagnostics, robotic surgery, automated medical carts in hospitals, and many other areas of the medical business. Robots facilitate efficient communication, prompt care and treatment, and the efficient performance of medical operations, which benefits both patients and staff. These robots’ ability to pick up and place items, communicate with patients and healthcare professionals, scan barcodes and text, identify objects, and navigate are all made possible by cameras.
The way forward
By automating transport operations in production and logistical functions, AMRs are opening the door to better efficiency and a quicker return on investment. In the years to come, they will become capable of traversing even more dynamic production situations safely and effectively as vision suppliers keep introducing higher-performing image devices, enhanced software modelling, and durable data processing.