MOV.AI and Ouster partner to advance sensing for mobile robots

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The Ouster solid state LIDAR solution helps AMRs to sense their environment. | Credit: Ouster

MOV.AI, a mobile robotics software solutions provider, and Ouster, a digital LiDAR sensor manufacturer, announce a new partnership that integrates the two companies’ solutions. MOV.AI has integrated Ouster digital LiDAR into its Robotics Engine Platform for industrial equipment manufacturers that are looking to automate.

Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) have to be able to perceive their surroundings in order to avoid obstacles and navigate safely during their missions. LiDAR is one of many types of sensors used by AMR developers to sense the world around the AMR.

As the market for material handling grows, there is a growing need for more autonomous robots to move the material. In addition, there are a variety of other applications which also fit the function of autonomous movement. This includes applications in logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, security, inventory and cleaning.

Ouster’s digital LiDAR provides AMRs with high-resolution data to accurately perceive the environment and accomplish specific tasks. The Ouster sensor’s ultra-wide vertical field-of-view allows AMRs to map the entire warehouse environment, from floor to ceiling, in real-time. This data is then used in autonomy algorithms to help the AMR safely and efficiently navigate throughout the warehouse.

Combining Ouster’s high-resolution data with the MOV.AI Robotics Engine Platform, advanced SLAM navigation, obstacle avoidance, and risk avoidance solutions, AMRs can operate efficiently and continuously in challenging warehouse environments, including:

• Dynamic environments
• Environments with little static information (features)
• Environments with repeated structures

The MOV.AI ROS-based Robotics Engine Platform provides AMR manufacturers and automation integrators with navigation, localization, calibration, and the enterprise-grade tools they need for advanced automation. It includes a visual Integrated Development Environment (IDE), off-the-shelf algorithms and integrations, fleet management, flexible interfaces with warehouse environments such as ERP and WMS, and cyber-security compliance.

“MOV.AI’s mission is to speed up robot development and to provide AMR manufacturers and integrators with everything they need to develop and operate great robots,” said Motti Kushnir, MOV.AI’s CEO. “Through our partnership with Ouster, we are able to offer our customers autonomy solutions that work seamlessly in environments with a limited field-of-view and physical features.”

“Digital LiDAR is great for warehouse automation due to its high-resolution, wide field-of-view and reliability. It can provide incredibly precise 3D spatial information that just isn’t possible with legacy laser scanning systems, cameras, or radar alone. Reliable data is what enables the robots to move safely and efficiently in dynamic environments,” said Aaron English, Ouster’s Head of Product Marketing for Industrial & Robotics. “The industry is at a tipping point for automation, which is why we’re excited to be partnered with MOV.AI as they scale adoption of their Robotics Engine Platform.”