ANT Navigation

Technology

The Autonomous Navigation Technology ANT® allows your vehicle, robot or mobile platform to localize and navigate completely autonomously.

ANT® is environment based

ANT® uses features naturally present in its surroundings such as wall and columns as reference for localization. No additional infrastructure (such as magnet, inductive line or reflectors) is therefore required. Only in absence of such natural building references within a range of 30 meters from the AGV, adding a reflector becomes necessary. Unlike Laser guidance, only one reflector is sufficient for the AGV to update its position.

Autonomous handling of obstacles

ANT® autonomously handles obstacles by either moving around them, or adapting the speed to avoid emergency situations.

Based on industry-proven sensors

To reach a precision of +/- 1 cm, ANT® combines data from encoders and laser scanners with a proven record in industrial applications. In fact, ANT® uses the information from the safety laser scanners already mounted on your vehicle.

Components

• Safety scanners used for obstacle detection and for positioning accuracy
• Wheel encoders to measure travel
• Steering encoders to measure steering angles
• On-board computer to control the AGV and interface with supervisory system and/or PLC system

Accuracy

• +/- 1 cm (+/- 0.4 inches)
• +/- 1 centigrade

Advantages

• No or very little infrastructure cost
• Cost effective for single or 2 vehicles systems
• Cost effective for systems running in very large facilities
• Quick installation process
• Highly adaptive to frequent layout changes
• Highly adaptive to inaccurate pallet position (in case of forklift)
• Convenient for application where wires, magnets, or reflectors cannot be used. For example: automates truck loading
• Availability of obstacle avoidance where needed
• Compatible with Semi-automatic tasks