The DLA presently operates 20 storage facilities with over 570 warehouses; thus, a successful AGV development could result in follow-on contracts for up to 100 vehicles.
FREMONT, CA: Robotic Research, a leader in autonomous driving technology and solutions, recently announced that it was awarded a contract by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to build unmanned Autonomous Guided Vehicle (AGV) that can be used to tow loaded carts inside and outside of warehouses.
“We are very excited to be developing an AGV for the DLA,” said Alberto Lacaze, Co-founder, and President, Robotic Research. “Not only would an unmanned tow vehicle save the DLA money, and increase safety and efficiency. Conducting autonomous operations in and between warehouses would be a technological first.”
The DLA presently operates 20 storage facilities with over 570 warehouses; thus, a successful AGV development could result in follow-on contracts for up to 100 vehicles. The AGV offers a wide range of applications in warehousing and storage for both commercial and military customers. The DLA is looking for an AGV that is robust, durable, and agile. The unmanned tug will have to do the following:
Tow loads as heavy as 18,000 pounds;
Turn tight corners;
Climb steep slopes (12 percent grade);
Maneuver safely around people and other vehicles;
Brave inclement weather and less than ideal road conditions;
Operate indoors without GPS guidance.
To meet these and other requirements, Robotic Research is providing its Stock Handling Autonomous Robotic Kit (SHARK), a platform-agnostic solution that can be equipped to any number of commercially available tow vehicles. To guide the AGV, SHARK will combine AI and world modeling, safety features, GPS-denied localization technologies, and a combination of sensors (LIDAR, radar, cameras, and so on).
“We hve been the key autonomy provider for numerous military programs,” Lacaze said, “including Autonomous Ground Resupply (AGR) and Expedient Leader-Follower (ExLF). And our wearable WarLoc device, which has been deployed with Army Brigade Teams, provides GPS-denied localization.”
In the commercial arena, the business has demonstrated vehicle-agnostic automated technology and the ability to operate alongside pedestrian and mixed traffic in over 30 locations and on more than 30 different types of vehicles.
“Localization and people-avoidance are core AGV requirements. These capabilities, plus our experience with all-weather ‘edge cases,’ will be a tremendous asset to the DLA and others,” added Lacaze.