3D Pointclouds
enables to steer a robot safely through unknown and potentially dangerous 3D environments
3D Environment Visualisazion
The robot carries a rotating 3D Laser Range Finder (specially developed for this application). The laser data, consisting of 3D point clouds is transmitted to a control PC where it is processed. The processing involves matching new data to previously collected points in such a way that a coherent point cloud results which is correctly representing the environment. On the PC, a viewer application allows the operator to observe this representation in a convenient way.
Pointcould
3D Laser Range finder creates a pointcloud of the environment. By moving the robot, several pointclouds are created from different positions. This gives a “denser” pointcloud with more information.
sensor data
Robot sensor data like IMU (inertia measurement unit) and encoder data (wheel rotations) are added to the model as additional information source.
data processing
Advanced algorithms process all data from the stitched pointcloud and the onboard sensor data to calculate the exact position in the 3D space.
Project
The project goal for Inspection Robotics is to learn from and with our partners and to further develop our robotic capabilities.
How it works
The navigation system has a modular architecture. This is mainly possible due to the use of Ethernet for communications. Depending on which modules are mounted / used, the navigation filter on the PC computer can provide a better or rather rough localization estimation. The software architecture is based on individually coded modules which communicate over inter-process channels in order to share information.Implemented modules
· The motor control software (which includes the navigation filter)· Laser point cloud processor
· The 3D visualization module
· The video recording and playback module
Communication
The navigation modules communicate to a control PC over Ethernet. The data is evaluated by software directly on the PC. The robot control software also runs on the PC and sends motion commands to the on-board motor controllers over Ethernet.Related Products, Services & News
Read more about Inspection Robotics Products & Services. Related news are also listed here.
BIKE
With the BIKE platform Inspection Robotics has realized a truly ultra-mobile inspection platform. Where existing inspection crawlers are reaching their limits in terms of accessibility and maneuverability the BIKE platform is just beginning to perform.
FAST RVI HD
The FAST RVI can perform a full HD remote visual inspection while drastically reducing risk for the operator. The HD inspection camera is carried by a robot, this allows for high quality close-up inspection in confined spaces.
3D LOC
This technology provides the full 3D awareness of the robot in the asset with 3D interactive robot control. Inspection data is tagged with the precise position in the asset, and a digital twin containing all the inspection data is maintained.