From the Wires
Roboteq Launches Revolutionary Sensor for Guiding Robotic Vehicles along Invisible Magnetic Tracks
Jan. 10, 2013 02:00 PM
Roboteq, Inc. (www.roboteq.com)
introduces a magnetic guide sensor capable of detecting and reporting
the position of a magnetic field along its horizontal axis. The sensor
is intended for line following robotic applications, using adhesive
magnetic tape to form a track guide on the floor.
The 160mm wide sensor uses advanced signal processing to accurately
measure its lateral distance from the center of the track, from a height
up to 60mm. With a position resolution of 1mm, the MGS1600 provides the
highest precision in the market.
The sensor is primarily used to steer Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs),
moving material on factory floors. However, its unique sensitivity and
accuracy opens a world of new application opportunities, such as
automatic shelf replenishing in supermarkets, patient transport in
hospitals, stage theater props or rail-less tramways.
Compared to other guiding techniques, magnetic guides are totally
passive and therefore easy to lay and modify. The tape creates an
invisible field that is immune to dirt and unaffected by lighting
conditions. The magnetic track can be totally hidden under any
non-ferrous flooring material, such as linoleum, tiles or carpet.
The MGS1600 has a uniquely long list connectivity options: the tape
position information can be output in numerical format on the sensor's
RS232, USB, CANbus, Analog or PWM ports.
The sensor can be interfaced directly to any of Roboteq’s motor
controllers in order to create an effective Automatic Guided Vehicle
solution with just two components. The sensor can also be connected to
any PLC using a choice of Analog, PWM, RS232 or CANbus interfaces. Using
USB, the sensor can easily be interfaced to any PC compatible computer.
The sensor will detect and manage up to 2-way forks and can be
instructed to follow the left or right track using commands issued via
its digital inputs, the Serial, USB or CANbus ports.
In addition to detecting a magnetic guide track to follow, the sensor
will detect and report the presence of magnetic markers that may be
positioned on the left or right side of the track. Markers are made of
the same magnetic tape but of opposite polarity. The markers can be used
to signal forks ahead or the presence of a charging station.
The sensor is equipped with several LEDs for easy monitoring and
diagnostics. The sensor incorporates a high performance, Basic-like
scripting language that allows users to add fully customized
functionality to the sensor.
The sensor is delivered with a powerful PC utility for configuring its
settings, and updating its firmware in the field with new features as
they become available.
To help with system setup and troubleshooting, the utility also includes
as a strip chart recorder, and a visualization window to display in real
time, the magnetic field as it is seen by the sensor.
The MGS1600 is built onto a compact 25mm L x 160mm W x 20mm H (1” x 4.3”
x 0.8”) open board module. A fully enclosed, water resistant version
will be available in Q2 2013.
The MGS1600 is available now to customers worldwide at $395
in single quantities. Product information and software can be downloaded
from the company’s web site at www.roboteq.com/sensors/mgs1600-precision-magnetic-track-following-sensor.
A 2 minute video presentation of the MGS1600 can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_JXSAygeko.
A demonstration robot built by Alliant Technologies (www.atccs.com)
using the MGS1600 can be viewed at: http://youtu.be/GDOAkj1GCiQ.
About Roboteq
Founded in 2001 by experts in embedded computing and power electronics,
Roboteq’s mission is to develop products and technologies that allow
novices and professionals alike to build innovative, flexible and
affordable mobile robots. Roboteq controllers are now used in over 2,000
original robot designs around the world.
HighRes Photo available at www.roboteq.com/press/mgs1600hres.jpg
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