Autonomous Mobile Robot with ChainDriven Live Roller Top Module

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.