Project description
Funded by the Forschungsgemeinschaft Intralogistik / Fördertechnik und Logistiksysteme (IFL) e.V. the Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems (FAPS) researches the application of autonomous UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle) for intralogistics, particularly the fully autonomous supply of picking stations directly from storage areas.
Similar to the supply in outdoor scenarios, autonomous UAVs for indoor environments also feature a three-dimensional motion capability resulting in shorter supply routes, higher supply speeds and more flexible possibilities of application compared to autonomous ground vehicles. By expanding intralogistics with the third dimension, space, which has not been used up to now, can be integrated in the material flow as well. By this, the floor area needed for supply can be reduced and the productivity per area can be increased.
To prepare the way for the application of autonomous UAVs in intralogistics and to enhance the necessary technologies, the research in AIRKom is focused on the following topics:
- Precise and reliable indoor navigation with subcentimetre flight and localization accuracy
- Three-dimensional path planning and sensor based collision avoidance
- Fully automated handling of standardized load carriers by the UAV
- Safety and fail-safe flight control technology