A Chinese manufacturing equipment provider has integrated Advantech’s UNO-238 Compact IoT Edge Computer in an autonomous forklift, providing efficient, flexible and cost-effective materials-handling for the manufacturing, logistics and warehousing industries.
The autonomous forklift helps reduce labour costs, mechanical damage and damage costs by delivering goods more efficiently than traditional conveyor systems and forklifts driven by workers.
The UNO-238 an ideal solution
The provider is a manufacturer of hand pallet trucks with over 10 years of expertise in producing Class 1, 2 and 3 forklifts in China. Dedicated to providing global solutions for materials handling, the company is at the forefront of innovation, particularly in the realm of autonomous guided forklifts.
Their latest product boasts cutting-edge features, including a state-of-the-art stable navigation and localisation system integrated with 360° Lidar and cameras, operating on advanced mobility technology. The UNO-238 is key, featuring a robust Intel® Core™ i CPU with formidable computing power and supporting seamless wireless communication and a CAN Bus 2.0 (Controller Area Network 2.0). The utilisation of CAN Bus technology significantly streamlines communication among electronic controllers (ECUs), also known as “nodes.”
This allows them to communicate and cooperate with each other, without the help of a host computer to interpret or convey in-vehicle information. This adoption efficiently reduces weight and fuel consumption while simplifying the system’s structure. This breakthrough solution not only cuts costs but also elevates product quality and overall performance.
Leverage the power of the UNO-238
The implementation included:
- UNO-238 Compact IoT Edge Computer with 8th generation Intel® Core™ I CPU.
- EKI-1361 industrial Wi-Fi client.
- EKI-6333AC-2G industrial Wi-Fi access point.
Advantech’s UNO-238 acts as a host to process data and execute instructions for the autonomous forklift. Serving as the central brain, the UNO-238 interfaces with various modules, including steppers, navigators, driving controllers, GPS, sensors and steering controllers to form a robust mobile control system with precise handling and movements.
The navigators on the system, equipped with sensors such as Lidar or cameras, use strategically positioned reflective plates along the automatic forklift’s route as navigational markers. When the sensors detect these reflective plates, they provide crucial positioning and orientation information to the navigator.
The driving and steer controllers receive instructions from the UNO-238, translating them into motor control signals for the vehicle’s movement and direction. These controllers work in tandem with the steppers to execute precise and controlled motion. Overall, Advantech’s UNO-238 helps raise the processing stability and efficiency for a competitive price, allowing the forklifts to connect to sensors for contour-based navigation and make different guided path decisions on their own.
To provide wireless communication capabilities, the UNO-238 is equipped with the EKI-1361 series of fast-roaming wireless clients, providing essential technology for communication between the forklifts and the central control system. EKI-1361 will be remote connected via EKI-6333AC-2G, Wi-Fi access point, to the ground control system. This configuration enables a reliable and efficient flow of information between the ground control system and the machine. The Wi-Fi client facilitates bidirectional communication, enabling the AGV to receive commands and transmit its operational data, while the Wi-Fi AP acts as the intermediary, managing the network connectivity for the fleet within the system. This communication loop ensures that the forklifts receive real-time instructions, updates on tasks and adjustments to their routes, all while transmitting data on their status and operations to the central control system. The connection between these systems forms a cohesive network that enables efficient coordination and control of the forklifts within an industrial or logistical setting.
These autonomous forklifts, empowered by Advantech’s UNO-238 Compact IoT Edge computer, can be widely used in low-height racking fields. These forklifts stand out as optimal solutions for materials-handling, effortlessly lifting and delivering goods, automating inventory stocking and retrieval and helping to alleviate labour shortages. Leveraging advanced navigational technology like SLAM, they enhance inventory management effectiveness while significantly reducing errors and minimising accidents.
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Article courtesy of Advantech.
