Clever mini robot for research and education

Motivation
Tools and parts used in manufacturing travel long distances in industrial production facilities. Assembly lines are often too rigid for dealing with faulty workpieces or adjusting production processes. With a flexible means of transportation, production chains can be designed more efficiently.

Objective
The developers of AMiRo (Autonomous Mini Robot) are working on small robots with high functional density. These mini robots are produced cost-effectively with standard commercial components. The robots can be used wherever small objects weighing up to one kilogram need to be flexibly transported. What makes AMiRo unique is that the robots interact autonomously with their surroundings and work extremely efficiently.

AMiRo the Robot
In its basic version, the mini robot on two wheels is about the size of a piggy bank – just under eight centimeters tall and ten centimeters in diameter. AMiRo’s round shape allows it to glide past obstacles with slight turns. It orients and moves itself autonomously. It reaches its destination by detecting the specified route network with the help of sensors located on its underside. If the path contains an obstacle, AMiRo finds another way to its target destination on its own. The modular platform can be expanded with additional modules as needed. This allows, for instance, infrared, image, or laser sensors to be installed, or additional processing units to be added for more efficient video processing. The robot is equipped with energy-efficient microelectronic circuits and sensors to ensure the longest possible battery life.

Participants
Cognitronics and Sensor Systems research group, Bielefeld University

Contact

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Rückert
Bielefeld University
Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC)
Telephone: 0521 106-12050
Email: rueckert@techfak.uni-bielefeld.de