We are midway through the REDI project, a robotic research project to make software deployment for autonomous mobile robots quicker and easier. The abbreviation REDI stands for Robot Efficient Deployment Instrument.
The status quo
Autonomous mobile Robots are meant to make processes quicker and more efficient. However, the first steps to adjust the robot to the environment it works in are the contrary. Installation and configuration of software on autonomous vehicles can take quite some time and can also be a very complex process that requires expert knowledge.
ARTI aspires that the AI Kits for autonomous mobile robots function independently of the operational environment and vehicle features. So the software is basically the same wherever the autonomous vehicle is driving and whatever dimensions, propulsion, steering system, payload, etc., the vehicle has. This approach offers a wide range of possible use cases and enables high flexibility. But it can’t avoid a certain amount of time that flows into configuring and calibrating software and vehicle until the robot can be actively and fully utilized.
We at ARTI are far too eager and impatient to be satisfied with the status quo. We want our software to be quick and easy to deploy to save our customers time and money. That is why we have launched the research project REDI (Robot Efficient Deployment Instrument) and received financial support for our research from the FFG, the Austrian Research Promotion Agency.
The objective of the REDI project is to develop a “Wizzard”, meaning a software assistance tool for the AI Kits. This tool lets customers perform the basic configuration and calibration measures independently. For example, an average technically skilled person can perform the first functional tests and steps for localization or mapping. The know-how of robotic software experts is only necessary for final configuration and checks later in the process. In the ideal case, the customer conducted the basic steps in the deployment process and can start using the robot for some tasks while robotic experts work on the final adaptations.
Only a calibrated system gives you good precision and long-term stability.
Clemens Mühlbacher, ARTI Head of research
The outlook
The research project started in September 2022 and will last until autumn this year, so we are midway through the robotic software research work. But there is exciting news concerning the project that we will reveal in the next blog posting!
Die FFG ist die zentrale nationale Förderorganisation und stärkt Österreichs Innovationskraft. Dieses Projekt wird aus Mitteln der FFG gefördert. www.ffg.at
Robi
https://arti-robots.com/
Hi folks, my name is Robi and I have the honor to keep you up to date with the latest information about events, stories and technical innovations @ ARTI.
