Localization of Scanning LiDAR Sensors for AGV SLAM
Precise measurement of a range of over 180° at 30m is possible
| Simplified with a dual-axis structure separating laser transmitter and receiver

Domestic researchers have succeeded in localizing the production of lidar sensors for AGVs.

The Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI) announced on the 26th that it has localized scanning LiDAR sensors for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) for autonomous driving of Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) in smart factories.

An AGV is an automated transport robot that automatically performs object transfer tasks while moving along a path by driving electric motors and wheels.

In the past, AGVs moved using the traditional SLAM method, which involved recognizing artificial markers such as metal wires or magnetic wires attached to the floor for optical recognition and driving along a set path.

Recently, autonomous driving AGVs that use LiDAR to recognize location without separate markings and further create and utilize surrounding maps are becoming commonplace.

For this, scanning capable of precisely measuring a range of more than 180° over 30m is required LiDAR sensor products are essential.

Until now, scanning LiDAR sensors for SLAM had to rely on Japanese and German products costing around 2 to 3 million won.

The 'scanning lidar sensor for autonomous driving of unmanned transport robots' developed by KETI this time is capable of 180° detection and detecting objects as small as 10cm at a distance of up to 30m.

It can replace overseas products as it is Class 1, which is safe even with prolonged exposure to the naked eye when using laser optical products.

The research team reduced the volume and manufacturing cost to less than half compared to German SICK products, particularly through structural simplification.

Unlike existing products with an integrated transmitting and receiving structure, the dual-axis structure with separated laser transmitting and receiving reduces interference between transmitted and received signals, thereby increasing measurement precision. Additionally, by shortening the length of the transmitting module and simplifying the structure, manufacturing costs could be lowered.

Dr. Hyun-Chang Cho of the KETI IT Convergence Components Research Center said, “Lidar sensors are one of the essential sensors that accelerate the development of autonomous driving technology for unmanned transport robots, along with ultrasound, cameras, and radar,” adding, “We expect this technology to be utilized in various fields, including smart factories, as well as logistics, safety, security, and robot vacuum cleaners.”