Virtual coupling for logistic cart
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | FlexQube Europe AB - FlexQube |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 130 000 |
| Project duration | March 2019 - September 2020 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The target with the project was to develop a virtual tow bar for industrial carts with the purpose to demonstrate the benefits compared to traditional mechanical tow bars that requires human involvement. With extensive development of hardware, algorithms and software to control the virtual towbar, enough performance is achieved in order to make a virtual towbar an alternative to traditional towbars in the future. The results show good driving properties in various speeds, and the ability to pick up, navigate and drop off carts is in place.
Expected results and effects
A prototype has been tested and evaluated in FlexQubes internal warehouse facility. The results shows that the technology has a great potential to replace traditional tow bars in the future. The economical value for the customers is mainly reduction of manual operations, and therefore increased efficiency. If the technology is a good investment is still to early to decided with certainty, but likely this is the case since the cost for automation components is decreasing over time.
Planned approach and implementation
The project was executed in three work packages. Package1 Projection and movement of optical pattern Concept generation, review and decision about feasible technology to project and move the optical pattern on the factory floor. Package2 Reading and processing of the optical pattern Concept generation, review and decision about feasible technology to read the optical pattern on the factory floor. and translate this data into motion of the carts motors. Package3 Test/verification Work package 1/2 is implemented on existing FlexQube eQart and is evaluated to reach a proof of concept.