A robotic experimental platform for testing and validating warehouse automation algorithms

Mehmet Ali Guney, Ioannis A. Raptis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

In the recent years, Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are gradually integrated to warehouse management systems. The employment of AGVs has numerous advantages over conventional warehouse systems in terms of cost, scalability and efficiency. In this work, we present the development of a small-scale test-bed platform for testing and validating warehouse automation control algorithms utilizing a swarm of AGVs. The proposed platform is scalable, fast, and effective in both cost and dimensions. The robotic drives are centimeter-scale forklifts that transport autonomously an arbitrary number of circular pallets to predefined reference locations. A conflict resolution algorithm is implemented such that the drives do not collide with each other during their operation. In addition, a task allocation logic handles the pallets' assignment to avoid the enclosure of the drives by the transported objects. The applicability of the testbed platform is demonstrated through experimental results.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2015 IEEE International Conference on Technologies for Practical Robot Applications, TePRA 2015
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
ISBN (Electronic)9781479987573, 9781479987573
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 24 2015
Externally publishedYes
EventIEEE International Conference on Technologies for Practical Robot Applications, TePRA 2015 - Woburn, United States
Duration: May 11 2015May 12 2015

Publication series

NameIEEE Conference on Technologies for Practical Robot Applications, TePRA
Volume2015-August
ISSN (Print)2325-0526
ISSN (Electronic)2325-0534

Conference

ConferenceIEEE International Conference on Technologies for Practical Robot Applications, TePRA 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWoburn
Period05/11/1505/12/15

Keywords

  • Algorithm design and analysis
  • Collision avoidance
  • Kinematics
  • Resource management
  • Robot kinematics
  • Vehicles

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