A prototype of a cooperative conveyance system by wireless-network control of multiple robots

Abstract

Growing shortage of the labor force calls for automation of conveyance operations through the use of autonomous robots. These robots are difficult to implement in complicated facilities such as distribution centers and warehouses because of frequent changes in placements of conveyed goods and dollies. In this paper, we propose a conveyance system using multiple robots and external sensors. Our conveyance system offers adjustability to environmental changes and low cost by linking the robots and the sensors via a wireless network. Moreover, we introduce a prototype system of cooperative conveyance that controls multiple robots based on location information of the robots detected by a stereo camera.