Radar sensors for AGVs: Three steps to the right system

Radar Sensors for AGVs: Simulation to Reduce Development Risks

Radar can provide Automated Guided Vehicles and mobile robots with distance and speed data even in conditions of dust, rain, fog, or difficult lighting. According to Symeo GmbH, automotive solutions cannot be easily transferred to industrial applications. Therefore, the company relies on a three-stage development process.

Simulation Before Choosing Hardware

Initially, the task requirements and operational environment are defined. Then, a digital three-dimensional model is created, such as of a warehouse, production area, or outdoor space. This allows for sensor concepts to be examined before hardware is procured or developed.

Among other things, the type of antenna, frequency, opening angle, number of radar chips, data volume, and measurement principle are analyzed. According to Symeo, more than 80 percent of the later system configuration can be predicted in this way.

Imaging Radar for New Applications

Multichannel systems, MIMO architectures, and advanced signal processing increasingly enable detailed radar images of the surroundings. As a result, radar can take on tasks in environmental mapping and localization in addition to distance measurement.

Vehicles can create a map and simultaneously determine their position within it while on the move. According to the company, additional infrastructure such as reflectors, markings, or magnetic tracks is not required for this.

Practical Test Checks the Concept

In the second step, the simulation results are verified under real conditions. For this purpose, Symeo uses the evaluation kit “AVR-QDM-110” with a MIMO radar evaluation platform. The configuration can be adjusted to the results of the simulation.

From simulation and practical test, a requirements list is subsequently created. Based on this, it can be decided whether a standard sensor is sufficient or a customized development is necessary.