Abstract:
Robots that can navigate through their environment are termed mobile robots. Mobile
robots are being utilized in various fields, such as agriculture, transport, package
delivery, disaster recovery, military, surveillance, and warehouse management. In
warehouses, the usage of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) for intralogistics is
becoming increasingly common. AMRs for intralogistics allow a safer work
environment, less need for manual labor, and minimal downtime which translates to
optimized productivity. Presently, warehouses in Pakistan do not use AMRs for
intralogistics. One reason is that locally manufactured AMRs are not available. The only
option is to import AMR which is very costly due to import duties. Aided by the
availability of cheap manual labor, using imported AMRs is not economically justified.
In this project, an AMR is proposed for use in warehouses in Pakistan. The AMR is made
using locally available parts while keeping costs to a minimum. It is capable of driving
autonomously through its environment while carrying the load. Another objective of this
project is to solve mobile robots’ loading/unloading issues in warehouses. Presently,
AMRs in warehouses require assistance while loading and unloading packages in their
storage compartments. A chain-driven live roller (CDLR) system is presented which is
installed on top of the AMR. In addition to simplifying the loading and unloading
process, the proposed mechanism optimizes the overall process as it can transport heavy
loads without any torque reduction. The proposed system needs minimal human
assistance and is more reliable and time-efficient as compared to existing systems.
