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LaserNav®: Intelligent Absolute Positioning Sensor"
LaserNav is a precision optical positioning sensor that can be used on moving platforms such as automated guided vehicle systems (AGVS) and mobile robots to give exact position and orientation information supporting autonomous navigation, guidance and path following.
LaserNav uses an eye safe scanning laser with a 360 degree field of view to measure the azimuth angle to wall mounted reference targets, such as transponders or reflectors. The sensor has full 360 degree field of view except for two 4 degree blind spots for the support posts. By measuring the angular positions of at least three targets, the data can be used to triangulate the position and heading of the platform relative to the known target locations. More targets provide additional accuracy and safety redundancy. LaserNav is used as an alternative to buried wires, fluorescent paint strips or magnetic lines commonly used to control AGVs. Unlike these systems, LaserNav can determine its position in two dimensions over a wide area enabling precise, flexible navigation without modification to facilities. Path changes can be made by modifying software maps instead of the floor itself, and robotic systems can determine their own paths for object avoidance. LaserNav is unique in its ability to use active electronic targets as well as passive reflectors. Active targets are visible to the system at much greater distances than passive reflectors, reducing the total number of targets per installation. The laser beam is spread vertically, ensuring that the targets can be scanned even while moving over irregular floors. Targets may be coded or uncoded allowing additional versatility.
The output consists of all codes and angles of each target in each sweep in convenient serial ASCII-like text format.
Tax Free Price: $24,000 USD
Freight and insurance are extra. Limited parts and labor warranty applies.
Specifications: Laser Diode Output 1mW @ 810 nm Modulation 1.152 mHz 100% amplitude Divergence Horizontally 0.3 mRads Divergence Vertically 4 degrees Aperture 2 ins Focal Length 32 nm Optical Filter Visible/UV 695 nm cutoff Active Target Range 600 ft max. Passive Target Range 100 ft max. Total number of coded Targets 52 per local map Unlimited global map Data Rate 9,600 baud RS232 Scan Rate 600 RPM max. Power 24 volts @ 300 mA (8 watts) Dimensions (ins) 15x15x11 Weight 10 lbs Absolute Accuracy +/- 0.03 deg RMS
©Copyright 1997-2003 all rights reserved, specifications are subject to change without notice. Patents and trademarks apply.
LaserNav is currently in use in industrial, commercial and research applications such as robot floor scrubbing, autonomous AGVs, and research robotics. Denning Branch International Robotics has considerable experience developing and implementing complete autonomous navigation systems including software, hardware and mechanical navigation, guidance, mapping and route packages for this and other sensors. We can be engaged as outsource contractor or consultant for customer applications. LaserNav is an integral part of our RoboScrub industrial robotic floor cleaner, MRV5 high end mobile robotic research vehicle and UTV200 autonomous AGV.
Suggested Applications:
· Line following: by following the virtual line locus between two targets in manufacturing and materials handling.
· Mobile Robot Navigation and Guidance: position calculation by triangulation.
· Target Tracking: homing on a target as beacon following.
· Traffic Control: by tracking coded targets mounted on moving vehicles.
· Contour Mapping: fuselage contour tracking and mapping for spray painting.
February 2003
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