Mobile robots
Mobile robotics can be a real game changer in many projects. Mobile robots are powerful tools, which autonomy can take over from humans strenuous or dangerous tasks.
What is an autonomous mobile robot?
An autonomous mobile robot is a robot that can move around in an open or closed space. It does not remain stationary in one position. The autonomous mobile robot can map its environment and navigate on its own, without being controlled by an operator.
Autonomous mobile robots do not need any external relays to operate (such as beacons). Instead, they use SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) technology, which enables them to build a map of their environment in real time, and do some self-localization. If needed, autonomous mobile robots can also be remotely operated.
Usually, an autonomous mobile robot is made up of:
- A chassis (with motors and controller)
- An embedded computer
- A battery
- Sensors (at least a LiDAR)
- Actuators
The sensors and actuators will change depending on the tasks the robot has to perform.
Types of sensors:
- Thermal sensor
- Panoramic camera
- Gas sensor
- Motion sensor
- Microphone
- Etc
Type of actuators:
- Robotic arm
- Screen
- Speakers
- Drone
- Etc
Mobile robots: missions and applications
In which situations can mobile robotics be a real advantage? We won't list the many tasks a robot can take over from humans, there are too many. We will list the one we are familiar with at Génération Robots.
Missions where a robot can be essential, or mandatory:
- Nuclear dismantling
- Space exploration (rovers, sample collection, etc)
- Heavy equipment transport (construction sites, rescue missions, scientific missions, etc.)
- Transport of mail, medication, light equipment, within a single building, a complex or a district
- Robotised cowshed cleaning
- Surveillance and preventive maintenance of sensitive sites (SEVESO sites, airports, oil & gas)
- Etc
How to choose the right mobile robot for your project?
The environment and the terrain are both major considerations, as they cannot be easily changed.
Depending on the environment and the terrain on which the robot will drive, as well as its missions, the locomotion will be different:
- Mecanum wheels ➡ allows lateral movements, suitable for warehouses and indoor navigation (Clearpath Robotics' Dingo robot type)
- All-terrain wheels ➡ for outdoor navigation, suitable for exploration missions, agriculture, etc (RR100 robot type from Generation Robots)
- Tracked ➡ outdoor navigation, on uneven terrain (potholes, small ditches, rocks, steps, etc) (Bunker Pro robot type)
- 4 legs ➡ allows robots to move on stairs or rocks (Spot robot type)
You will also need to consider the following features:
- The payload (does the robot need to carry heavy equipment?)
- Autonomy (an important factor in surveillance and security missions)
- Agility (speed and turning radius)
- The budget allocated to the project
Other factors, such as the possibility to quickly add extra addons, can also be important. Agilex mobile robots are equipped with rails that allow for quick customization.
Finally, ROS/ROS 2 compatibility is often a major factor in the choice of a mobile base, especially for research and R&D centers. All our mobile robots are ROS compatible.
You can use this Z1 robot arm with the Aliengo and B1 quadruped robots, as well as other mobile robots. It’s lightweight, compact and will manage both simple and complex tasks.
The Warthog ROS mobile robot is an amphibious unmanned ground vehicle of impressive dimensions and with a corresponding payload capacity. Not only that, but it moves quickly too!
Vitirover is an autonomous robotic mower designed to maintain vegetation in predefined plots, even in the most complex agricultural environments.
The LiDAR 4D L1 developed by Unitree is a powerful detection sensor for small mobile robots, offering a 360° x 90° field of view, high precision, and optimal proximity detection.
The TurtleBot 4's mobile robot is built on top of the iRobot® Create® 3 educational robot that provides an IMU, optical ground tracking sensor, and wheel encoders for precise positioning and location. TB4 comes in two models: TurtleBot 4 Standard and TurtleBot 4 Lite
The TurtleBot 4's mobile robot is built on top of the iRobot® Create® 3 educational robot that provides an IMU, optical ground tracking sensor, and wheel encoders for precise positioning and location.
Remember the TurtleBot3 Waffle, the advanced robotics platform with the distinctive shape? Meet the TurtleBot3 Waffle Pi, a brand new mobile robot featuring a Raspberry Pi 3 and a compatible camera module!
Do you need to make an addition to your TurtleBot3? You’ll never get caught out with the IPL-01 plate for TurtleBot Waffle!
The Turtlebot3 Burger is a mobile robotics educational platform that’s lightweight, compact, cost-effective and customisable at will. It’s the perfect solution for all those looking for a fun medium to use in their robotics programming workshops, but also for apprentice robotics engineers, and for creators and designers.
In this course produced by The Construct, you will learn how to work with the TurtleBot3 robot using its two versions, Burger and Waffle.
AgileX presents Bunker, its all-terrain tracked mobile robot, expert in all types of obstacles.
The AgileX Tracer autonomous mobile robot is a platform dedicated to indoor design. Its high payload capacity makes it an ideal base for working on a mobile robot.
The AgileX Robotics mobile robot Titan is designed to provide exceptional maneuverability with its Ackermann steering system, both in the front and rear.
The TEC800 mobile robot is a tracked, remote-controlled UGV unit. It’s a powerful and customisable platform, ideal for research and R&D centres wanting to work on robotics applications.
Your TurtleBot3 deserves robust and long-lasting wheels: the TB3 Wheel/Tire Set-ISW-01 is the perfect fit for your Dynamixel servos!
This set of 12 IBB-01 supports for TurtleBot Waffle will allow you to connect various devices to upgrade your mobile robotics platform!
The SWD® Starter Kit is a development kit for AGVs (automated guided vehicles), AGCs (automated guided carts) and AMRs (autonomous mobile robots). You can use it to rapidly begin developing your own mobile robot compatible with the ez-Wheel SWD® Safety Wheel Drive technology.
Spot is designed not only for research and teaching but also for developing industrial and service robotics applications, and will quickly become your faithful corporate companion, always ready to work!
The Spot Inspection package provides reliable real-time data to automate all your inspection missions.
Spot Public Safety protects individuals and assess dangerous situations, all while ensuring safety.
While it’s true that there are already lots of ways to charge your Spot mobile robot, this charging station could well revolutionise the way you use your Boston Dynamics platform – and push the boundaries of your research and development work!
If you’re looking to customise your quadruped robot, why not try this high-quality vinyl Spot covering?
The Spot Charger case contains all the accessories you need to power your mobile four-legged Spot robot.
Discover the Spot Academia & Innovation kit, a flexible platform for research, teaching, and the development of new applications.