Mobile Manipulators: Combining Mobility and Manipulation for Diverse Environments

Autonomous navigation of AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robots) and manipulation of robotic arms are advanced technologies that independently face significant challenges related to localization, path planning and accuracy. However, many industrial applications require integrated solutions that combine both capabilities: simultaneous navigation and manipulation. In other words, an Autonomous Mobile Manipulator robot.

Sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, construction or agriculture find in this area of robotics an effective tool for process automation, improving productivity and reducing operating costs.

In this context, Robotnik stands out as one of the few manufacturers specialized in mobile manipulator robots in the market. With an extensive background in the development of this technology, our portfolio includes Autonomous Mobile Manipulators designed for indoor and outdoor environments, with various kinematics, ranges and payload capacities adapted to the specific needs of each application.

A robotic arm brings the advantages of autonomous manipulation, although its reach is restricted by its fixed base. In contrast, a mobile platform has no manipulation capabilities, but can be moved to cover a much larger work area.

A mobile manipulator robot is one that combines a robotic arm mounted on an autonomous mobile platform, giving rise to a versatile robot that overcomes traditional limitations. 

Historically, robotic arms were used in industrial environments to perform repetitive or dangerous tasks such as welding or handling heavy loads. These robotic arms have a large manipulation capacity, but their working area is limited due to the fixed base. Because they were stationary and bulky, they operated within safety cells restricted to human operators for protection reasons. 

As an alternative to heavy robotic arms, cobots emerge: more dynamic collaborative robotic arms that no longer need to be confined within safety perimeters but can safely collaborate with humans. 

On the other hand, robotic platforms have also been used for many years in industry through Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), especially for internal transportation in manufacturing environments. 

Technological advancement, however, has allowed an evolution of these simple navigation systems to what we know as Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR). These autonomous mobile platforms are more flexible than AGVs and can operate in a dynamic environment alongside human workers. Compared to the fixed routes of AVGs, AMRs do not need fixed guidance structures to orient themselves but plan and execute routes on their own while avoiding obstacles.

The result of this combination of a cobot and an AMR is an Autonomous Mobile Manipulator robot capable of performing manipulation tasks in different locations, such as moving objects between surfaces (Pick and Place).

The uses of Autonomous Mobile Manipulators extend to practically any industry to automate tasks ranging from the classification of parts or components, to those related to quality control.

These are some examples of uses of mobile manipulator robots:

Robotnik is one of the first global companies dedicated to the development and manufacturing of mobile manipulator robots. After more than 22 years of experience, we have a wide range of applications in which our mobile manipulators automate repetitive, tedious or dangerous tasks in different sectors, both R&D and industrial:

One of the advantages of Robotnik mobile manipulators, in addition to the advanced technical level at the software and hardware level, is that they are compatible with a wide range of interchangeable tools, such as grippers, suction cups, robotic hands, automatic screwdrivers or welding equipment, allowing the same robot to perform multiple tasks in different locations.

At the beginning of the year, the IFR already predicted that two of the trends in robotics for 2024 would be Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Manipulation. The convergence of these two technologies provides important improvements in terms of the autonomy, precision, navigation and collaboration of these robots.

Advances in mobile manipulation are largely linked to advances in Artificial Intelligence.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning is a major boost for mobile robotics in general, also for mobile manipulator robots. These technologies have improved the ability of Autonomous Mobile Manipulators to adapt to changing environments and perform more complex tasks more intelligently. Using deep neural networks and reinforcement learning algorithms, these robots can autonomously learn how to handle unfamiliar objects, optimize routes and avoid obstacles in real time, or re-conduct missions. 

Artificial Intelligence not only improves robot functionality but also human-robot interaction. In this sense, another interesting contribution is generative AI, which is allowing us to develop interfaces through which a user can operate or program robots in a more intuitive way, with a more natural language.

Advances in sensorization have a direct impact on the operability of mobile manipulator robots. Laser sensors, 3D cameras, machine vision systems or force, touch or proximity sensors improve the perception of the environment, which is essential for navigation and precision object manipulation. Technologies such as LiDAR and computer vision allow robots to map their environment in real time and plan movements with greater accuracy.

The integration of these sensors allows Autonomous Mobile Manipulators to not only move independently, but also interact with their environment intelligently. This is especially useful in industrial applications that require hybrid human-robot work models such as in logistics or manufacturing industries.

Mobile manipulators represent an effective solution for applications in different environments. By integrating autonomous movement capabilities with manipulation skills, these systems can perform complex tasks ranging from logistics to manufacturing or agriculture in a flexible and adaptable way.

Consult with our team to see which Autonomous Mobile Manipulator best fits your application. Ask our team.