Introduction
Warehouse robots are increasingly used to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. Because they are deployed for more demanding tasks that require complex navigation around the environment, advanced sensors are needed to guarantee safety. For instance, Amazon recently announced its new Proteus platform.
3D Lidar as a game changer
Nowadays, most warehouse robots still use 2D lidar although newer technology is available. Initially, developers relied on 2D lidar due to the lower cost and wider availability. However, in recent years 3D lidar became widely popular and available at a relatively low cost.
Some designs even use multiple 2D lidars to get a wider field of view. However, this solution is unnecessarily complex and still unsafe in dynamic environments. As a result, robots using 2D lidar are utilized in a limited workspace.
Ouster's 3D lidar sensors feature up to 128 channels and a wide field of view to scan the environment accurately. With the goal to offer unsacrificed performance at a relatively low price, Ouster's sensors were integrated into multiple warehouse robots. 3D lidar significantly leverages the potential of what a warehouse robot can do - adapting to a dynamic environment, recognizing objects, and accurately transporting goods. The all-in-one 3D lidar also reduces complexity and ensures easy maintenance and scalability.
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