5G

5G MIPS

The vision

A flexible production platform for cross-product handling and intralogistics.

Figure 1: Planned structure of the flexible production platform for cross-product handling and intralogistics.

Objective

Development of a scalable demonstrator with the research focus:

• Mixed mobile robotics fleet with shared master control system
• New ways of human-robot cooperation
• Sustainable transfer options with Karakuri system
• 5G network for smooth data communication

Project content

The 5G MIPS platform project has been running since July 2023 and will continue for at least one and a half years.

The demonstrator shown here is divided into four technology modules that are connected by an overarching 5G private wireless network:

• Fleet Meetingpoint
• Human Machine Collaboration
• Sustainable Karakuri Gate
• Human Machine Collaboration

Figure 2: Exemplary structure and interaction of the individual technology modules.

The Fleet Meetingpoint forms the interface between the warehouse and production. All vehicles driving under the NAiSE control system can deposit pallets with KLT boxes, whereby the integration of new driverless transport vehicles is easy to implement. A mobile manipulator (MoMa) picks up the boxes and hands them over to a mobile robot (LD90) with a roller conveyor.

The first Human Machine Collaboration has a manual workstation, for example for filling/emptying the boxes or for modification. Collaboration takes place without safety fences and in compliance with ergonomic aspects.

The Sustainable Karakuri Gate transports the boxes mechanically without electricity using gravity via cable pull systems. The transfer of the boxes is triggered manually by an employee. The right-hand column and the horizontal section serve as buffer storage.

In the second Human Machine Collaboration , the lifting of the boxes is triggered manually or automatically by the arm of the MoMa. The KLT boxes can then be released and a monitor visualizes all the collected data.

Project implementation

Thanks to its flexible design, the production platform developed opens up the possibility of adding further technology modules and solutions from ARENA2036 members. The project is divided into two phases. In the first phase, the demonstrator will be set up as described in Figure 2. In the second phase, new technologies will be integrated, such as

• Integration of other components that send data via 5G (vision, sensors, ...)
• Integration of new technologies from the ARENA2036 environment (AI gripper change)
• Connection of drones
• Digital engineering, digital twin