LiDAR (Laser Radar) is the abbreviation of laser detection and ranging system, which is a radar system that emits laser beams to detect the position, speed and other characteristics of the target. LiDAR is widely used in intelligent warehousing and logistics stackers, intelligent robot AGV navigation and obstacle avoidance due to its high resolution, good concealment, strong anti-active interference ability, good low-altitude detection performance, small size and light weight. The working principle of lidar is to emit a detection signal (laser beam) to the target, and then compare the received signal reflected from the target (target echo) with the transmitted signal.
Types of LiDAR
To put it simply, the basic function of lidar is measurement and scanning, based on large-area measurement and scanning, it can realize map construction and obstacle detection within a certain range to safely avoid obstacles. In recent years, with the continuous development of lidar technology and the significant reduction in cost, the application fields of lidar have become increasingly extensive, such as intelligent logistics, autonomous driving, vehicle-road collaboration, etc.
In the field of warehousing and logistics, lidar is mainly used in Kiva-like robots, AGVs, unmanned forklifts and other logistics mobile robots to play a role in navigation and obstacle avoidance. Therefore, from a functional point of view, there are two main categories of lidar.
1. Navigation lidar
The main function of navigation lidar technology is to build a map, scan the surrounding environment in real time during the walking process of the logistics mobile robot, and match with the original map to determine the position of the logistics mobile robot, and help the robot walk according to the specified path. Navigation radar is usually installed in a high position, such as on the top of forklift AGV and other equipment, and also has a certain long-range obstacle detection and collision avoidance function, but due to the high installation position, the obstacle avoidance function is limited.
2. Obstacle avoidance (safety protection) lidar
It is usually installed around the body of the logistics mobile robot (such as the front sides of the vehicle), and through linkage with the vehicle body, when an obstacle is detected, the system can control the logistics mobile robot to slow down or stop, so as to achieve the purpose of safety protection such as obstacle avoidance. In addition, such radars can also be installed at an angle under the navigation radar, and their scanning detection area can form an oblique section to detect objects with a certain height. The technical threshold of safety obstacle avoidance radar is generally lower than that of navigation radar, but its requirements for target recognition ability are relatively high.
From the perspective of specific product categories, it can be divided into mechanical lidar, hybrid solid-state lidar, pure solid-state lidar, etc., and the mainstream products in the field of logistics mobile robots are mainly mechanical lidar and hybrid solid-state lidar. For example, the lidar usually installed around the body mainly includes 2D single-line mechanical lidar, multi-line mechanical and hybrid solid-state lidar, of which the latter two can realize the 3D three-dimensional safety protection of unmanned forklifts, AGVs, and logistics mobile robots.
Solutions are abundant
With the rapid development of the logistics mobile robot industry, there are more and more enterprises and solutions entering this field. From the perspective of suppliers, internationally renowned brands such as SICK, Beijiafou, Keyence, Lloyd's Easy, Velodyne, as well as a large number of fast-growing domestic enterprises such as Keli, Xingxuan IoT, and XTLiDAR laser, have launched a wealth of products and solutions to help the technological upgrading and development of the industry.
This trend has also been highlighted at the CeMAT ASIA exhibition in recent years, with more and more LiDAR products for logistics mobile robots being displayed. This year, SICK showcased more than 20 products in three categories: navigation sensors, collision avoidance sensors, and other detection sensors, including the nanoScan3 safety laser scanner with safety collision avoidance and precise navigation functions, as well as the cloud platform contour scanning system and safety protection solutions that can realize large-scene contour scanning.
SICK presented LiDAR solutions for AGVs at CeMAT ASIA 2021
With the rapid development of logistics mobile robots in recent years, a large number of domestic lidar brands have also continued to grow and grow rapidly, and launched many high-quality products.
In the face of the strong demand of the logistics mobile robot industry, domestic and foreign enterprises are working hard to expand the market. Domestic enterprises continue to break through the "stuck neck" technology and achieve technological upgrades, but in general, due to factors such as high prices of foreign products, long delivery times, and insufficient service response, the growth trend of domestic enterprises is more obvious, especially in the category of obstacle avoidance lidar, the market share is getting higher and higher. Taking HIK robot as an example, according to the relevant person in charge, most of the company has maintained a steady growth of 20%~30% in recent years, and the sales of lidar will reach tens of thousands of sets in 2022.