Practical Design and Use of Transfer System by Autonomous Mobile Robot Group

Abstract

We have developed the transfer system that consists of autonomous mobile robots and the multi-robot controller that controls these robots. One of the feature of this system is the efficiency improvement of transportation that has been achieved by the hybrid control with the individual intelligence of autonomous mobile robot and the entire intelligence of mutli-robot control. By introducing this system, a space for the belt conveyer can be reduced, person's traffic line can be secured, and the risk that the entire transfer system stops due to the trouble by only one sensor can be reduced. Moreover, it is possible to correspond to layout changes because the track construction is unnecessary, and the system can be available where the person exists in the transfer area. This system was introduced into BML, INC. as “Blood samples transportation robot system”, and these features were proven to be effective by keeping really operating 24 hours. In this paper, the practical use of the developed sysytem is described.