Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IMLAs an outdoor AGV, O³dyn represents a new class of autonomous transport robots in logistics. The system combines high performance, dynamics, and flexibility in a hybrid vehicle designed for both indoor and outdoor use. It transports pallet loads omnidirectionally at speeds of up to 36 km/h and leaves the protected environment of warehouses to operate autonomously on company premises. Simulation-based artificial intelligence forms a digital continuum that supports the vehicle’s development, testing, and safety.
O³dyn - highly dynamic outdoor agv
Project goals and challenges of the outdoor agv o³dyn
As an outdoor AGV, O³dyn represents a new class of autonomous transport robots in logistics. The goal of the project is to develop a highly dynamic, autonomous vehicle that moves pallet loads indoors and outdoors. This outdoor AGV is intended to overcome the limitations of traditional automated guided vehicles (AGVs), which typically operate with significantly lower dynamics and are designed for only one type of environment. Key challenges include safe operation outside of purely indoor environments, adaptation to uneven outdoor surfaces, and seamless navigation between indoor and outdoor areas. Added to this is the open question of how to ensure safe autonomous travel in the presence of unpredictable obstacles.
“For industrial applications, we could construct the frame out of steel instead of aluminum. The drive technology and chassis are already designed to handle a weight of 1.3 tons,”
Guido Follert, M.Sc., Head of the Machinery and Systems Department at Fraunhofer IML.
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Project profile
| Project titel | O³dyn – Outdoor Robots in the Silicon Economy Large-Scale Research Proj |
|---|---|
| Duration | August 2020 to May 2023 |
| Volumen | Over 25 million euros for the Silicon Economy large-scale research pr |
| Funding | Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) |
| Project Management | Fraunhofer-Institut für Materialfluss und Logistik IML |
Our solutions: outdoor agv with omnidirectional chassis and air suspension
The O³dyn outdoor AGV combines an omnidirectional chassis with Mecanum wheels and air suspension. This combination enables maneuvering in the tightest of spaces and precise load positioning. The air suspension ensures a smooth ride on uneven surfaces, regardless of the load (n ). The chassis adapts to uneven outdoor terrain and protects the transported pallet through suspension and damping functions.
The load-bearing system utilizes the air suspension. To pick up a pallet, O³dyn lowers itself. Latches extend from the outside between the pallet blocks and secure the pallet so that it does not slip out during transport. The braking system consists of an electric service brake and an emergency brake with wear-resistant brake pads located under the frame. In an emergency, the air valves of the landing gear open, the vehicle quickly lowers onto the brake pads, and comes to a safe stop.
To enable seamless navigation between indoor and outdoor areas, the researchers use environment- and radio-based localization algorithms. Localization utilizes Lidar scanners, 3D camera systems, and differential GPS/GNSS. Simulation-based artificial intelligence forms the foundation of the development process. Modern graphics cards enable real-time simulations of highly complex processes. Motion capture aligns the simulation with real-world driving behavior. The smaller the difference, the closer the cyber-physical twin of the simulation comes to the real vehicle.
New development process: simulation-based AI
The development process is a novelty: simulation-based artificial intelligence. Thanks to modern graphics cards, highly complex processes can be simulated in real time. Using motion capture, the scientists compare the behavior in the simulation with that of real vehicles, thereby optimizing the simulation model. The more the difference between the model and reality is reduced, the closer the cyber-physical twin in the simulation comes to the robot . This approach can drastically reduce development times: Prototypes can thus be tested in digital reality before they are built. Furthermore, hardware and software development can be decoupled in this way. The result is a digital continuum of development (“Robotic Continuum”).
Use case: outdoor agv for pallet transport indoors and outdoors
The O³dyn outdoor AGV is designed for pallet transport that connects indoor and outdoor areas. Many automated guided vehicles (AGVs) focus on warehouses or outdoor areas and do not combine performance, dynamics, and flexibility in a single system. O³dyn transports large pallet-sized loads at speeds of up to 36 km/h and moves in all directions. The vehicle leaves the protected, defined environment of warehouses and operates autonomously on company premises.
The combination of Mecanum wheels and air suspension supports maneuvering in tight spaces and the precise positioning of pallets. The air suspension adapts to varying outdoor ground conditions and reduces stress on the load. For seamless navigation between indoor and outdoor spaces, the system uses environment- and radio-based localization algorithms. Lidar scanners, 3D camera systems, and differential GPS/GNSS provide positioning data in various environments.
Benefits in the pallet transport use case
- Seamless transport between warehouses and company premises
- Reduced maneuvering distances thanks to omnidirectional chassis
- Stable operation on uneven surfaces thanks to air suspension
- High dynamics combined with controlled emergency braking
More information about the Outdoor AGV O³dyn
Funded by
As part of the large-scale research project Silicon Economy funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV).