Focusing on the theme of field based technologies; I took opportunity to attend a coherent event hosted by the IET Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire network. Derek Long of Cambridge Consultants explained how the concepts of cloud can be delivered to automate the functions of warehouse activities using robots over a private network using unlicensed radio frequencies.
A few blogs ago, I attended a seminar that reviewed how edge technologies will need to provide scale, quality and immediate responses to effectively manage its field nodes in order for them to provide quality services. Keeping in line with the theme of field based technologies and cloud networks; this event described a working solution of robots, networks and next generation warehouse automation.
The solution created by Cambridge Consultants took advantage of radio frequency technologies within the 5GHz range, which gave confidence that with so many 200 kg robots in the same area, the warehouse robots can continue to be cyber secure, self-provisioning and operate without collisions using error free control communication signals, in milliseconds, with actual packet sizes being less than typical TCP/IP packets.
The warehouse size was similar to an Olympic swimming pool and expected to host 1000 robots. Control signals to the robot were delivered over radio frequency mechanisms such as OFDM and TDM into a directly attached controller that would facilitate the radio signals. The team also developed their own circuitry that had the capability to mount commercial Omni channel antennas based off warehouse requirements. The robots themselves have the ability to perform AI activities making this solution ready for adaptation into next generation smart cloud activities beyond warehouse automation, such as Vehicles, Factories, Construction and even Air Field logistics.
The solution developed is a very coherent example on how technologies solving a solution for one industry can be scaled and customised for use in other industries that will also be looking to take advantage of field devices and their associated cloud services. This solution is an amazing example of innovation using technology spectrums.
A video of the automated robots functioning in the warehouse can be see here.
A few blogs ago, I attended a seminar that reviewed how edge technologies will need to provide scale, quality and immediate responses to effectively manage its field nodes in order for them to provide quality services. Keeping in line with the theme of field based technologies and cloud networks; this event described a working solution of robots, networks and next generation warehouse automation.
The solution created by Cambridge Consultants took advantage of radio frequency technologies within the 5GHz range, which gave confidence that with so many 200 kg robots in the same area, the warehouse robots can continue to be cyber secure, self-provisioning and operate without collisions using error free control communication signals, in milliseconds, with actual packet sizes being less than typical TCP/IP packets.
The warehouse size was similar to an Olympic swimming pool and expected to host 1000 robots. Control signals to the robot were delivered over radio frequency mechanisms such as OFDM and TDM into a directly attached controller that would facilitate the radio signals. The team also developed their own circuitry that had the capability to mount commercial Omni channel antennas based off warehouse requirements. The robots themselves have the ability to perform AI activities making this solution ready for adaptation into next generation smart cloud activities beyond warehouse automation, such as Vehicles, Factories, Construction and even Air Field logistics.
The solution developed is a very coherent example on how technologies solving a solution for one industry can be scaled and customised for use in other industries that will also be looking to take advantage of field devices and their associated cloud services. This solution is an amazing example of innovation using technology spectrums.
A video of the automated robots functioning in the warehouse can be see here.