The IDEC Safety Wheel Drive (SWD) revolutionises the automation of mobile machines, such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), by requiring just three safety components for operation: two SWD wheels and a safety laser scanner.
This innovation is hailed as a game-changer in the realm of autonomous mobile robot development due to its straightforward integration process.
This design simplifies mobile robot architecture to an unprecedented degree, granting robotic solution designers unparalleled creative freedom. The effort and cost associated with developing a safety-compliant mobile robot are significantly reduced, potentially lowering development expenses by up to five times while also providing complete flexibility in robot design and form due to the elimination of cumbersome components.
Each SWD wheel incorporates a certified safety controller that interprets data from the robot’s safety sensors to avert hazardous movements. Adherence to ISO 3691-4 standards for driverless trucks is ensured, with safety features integrated into the wheels including Safety Torque Off (STO), Safe Limited Speed (SLS), Safe Maximum Speed (SMS), Safe Brake Control (SBC), and Safe Direction Control (SDI), all of which are directly compatible with SIL2/PLd safety laser scanners like the IDEC SE2L series. The drives, designed for ease of linkage, support the creation of systems with multiple wheels or axes capable of handling heavy loads. Featuring standard CANopen CiA/DS 402 interfaces for motor control and safety loops for sensor connection, these drives streamline the setup process.
For integrators, the pre-configured safety features within the SWD control and safety routines simplify development, traditionally a complex and costly endeavour. The SWD solution thus accelerates and economises the development process. Tailoring to specific applications is facilitated through various support and configuration tools available for the SWD series. Moreover, the drives are compatible with both ROS and ROS2 (Robot Operating System) instruction sets, enhancing developer flexibility.
The compact footprint of the SWD series supports tailored solutions, offering options like the SWDCore (gear motor), the SWD125 (125mm diameter wheel), and the SWD150 (150mm diameter wheel), each sealed to IP66 and available with multiple gear ratios to ensure sufficient torque for the intended load. These drives are suited for a wide range of applications, from pallet shuttles and conveyors to logistics robots and mobile platforms, achieving speeds of 0.5 to 3m/s depending on load and gearing.
The SWD Starter Kit offers an expedited path to developing prototypes, coming pre-assembled with a safety laser scanner, an onboard computer, and a 24V rechargeable battery. This ready-to-use platform, equipped with a Linux OS and open-source ROS middleware, enables immediate development of mobile robots. By providing SIL2 / PLd certified motion control in compliance with the ISO 3691-4 standard, the Starter Kit embodies all the exclusive safety features of the SWD range, ensuring a streamlined and secure development process.