The data helps us understand how automation plays an increasingly strategic role. The Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) market has a compound annual growth rate of 23% and will reach $10.5 billion by 2028. Of this, $3.7 billion will be generated by the European market. These numbers certify the fundamental value of these technological assets for companies' current and future competitiveness.
From this perspective, integrating autonomous or semi-autonomous systems within the factory layout can improve efficiency, productivity, and safety. This is especially true when considering industrial mobile robots such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots.
In mobile automation, sensors are responsible for various tasks such as collision warning, profile guidance, positioning, and sensing. SICK's offer includes a comprehensive catalogue of sensors that ranges from innovative components with integrated algorithms to complex system solutions.
H2: Automation and robots for indoor applications
Within this offering we can find automation or robotics solutions for indoor applications, such as scanGrid2, a range of multi-beam LiDAR scanners equipped with solid-state technology. It allows AGVs to move at higher speeds and with higher loads than standard solutions, eliminating mechanical barriers. The scanGrid2 has been developed for compact automated vehicles using optical, magnetic, QR Code, and Data Matrix Code technology. It features a compact design with a height of 43 millimetres.
A further solution for AGVs and AMRs is the
Safe EFI-pro safety systems. Using Industrial Ethernet bus technology, the EFI-pro gateway ensures fast and safe networking with SICK sensor solutions and direct integration of robot controllers via EtherNet/IPTM CIP SafetyTM.
H2: Automation and robots for outdoor applications
Automation systems and robots are also ideally suited for outdoor applications outside the factory. For these applications, sensors must rely on robust hardware and smart software to efficiently cope with complex conditions such as rain, fog, or snow.
The SICK portfolio includes laser scanners specially designed to meet these needs:
outdoorScan3, a family of safety laser scanners designed for outdoor automation. They can efficiently do this thanks to intelligent algorithms and proprietary scanning technology.
OutdoorScan3 is rated PLd (ISO 13849) and performance class D (IEC TS 62998), offers up to
128 freely configurable fields and is equipped with a dedicated diagnostic system.
The protected fields get automatically activated according to the environmental conditions, allowing the AGVs to adapt their speed and thus avoid unplanned stops and process interruptions. It is well suited for applications in the automotive industry, logistics, and intra-logistics.
