In the heart of a bustling logistics center, a finely tuned operation is in motion. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), like efficient assembly line components, navigate dynamically through the crowded warehouse floor, their sensors guiding them around obstacles and human colleagues. Meanwhile, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), the workhorses of the operation, follow their designated routes with unwavering precision, transporting heavy pallets and containers. These tireless robotic workers form the backbone of the operation, ensuring that thousands of shipments flow seamlessly, and goods reach their destinations on schedule.
However, as the volume of orders surged and the complexity of workflows intensified, these essential machines began to encounter limitations. The AMRs, despite their agility, sometimes struggled to adapt to unexpected obstructions, such as misplaced boxes or unplanned human activity. Similarly, the AGVs, confined to their fixed paths, experienced disruptions when transitioning between different zones within the warehouse, leading to bottlenecks and delays. To overcome these emerging challenges and maintain the center’s efficiency, a new generation of smarter, more adaptable systems was needed.
Intelligent Automation: A New Era for Robotics
AMRs: Thinking on Their Wheels
The introduction of VIA Intelligent Solutions brought a dramatic shift in how AMRs operated within the logistics center. Previously, encountering an unexpected obstacle meant an abrupt halt for these robots, requiring human intervention to guide them back on track. Now, equipped with real-time AI processing capabilities, the AMRs can think on their wheels. They analyze data from sensors and cameras to not only navigate smoothly around obstacles but also to independently reroute themselves, ensuring a continuous flow of operations. This newfound autonomy eliminated the delays that once disrupted workflows, freeing up employees to focus on more critical tasks, and delivering a marked improvement in overall productivity.
AGVs: Unstoppable Performance
AGVs also underwent a significant transformation, achieving new levels of steadiness and reliability. These tireless workhorses excel at repetitive tasks, and now, thanks to the upgrades, they can maintain peak performance even when transitioning between areas with varying conditions and temperatures. In the past, AGVs often stalled during shifts between temperature-controlled zones, leading to costly delays. Thanks to the robustness of the new system, they now operate effortlessly across diverse environments, ensuring goods move continuously and efficiently throughout the facility.
Connected and In Control: The Power of Real-Time Insights
Improved monitoring and wireless connectivity have revolutionized the efficiency and safety of operations across the facility. Operators now have a comprehensive, real-time view of the entire warehouse, with data streaming in from every corner. This enables them to swiftly address issues like route delays or unexpected stops without needing to intervene on-site, ensuring workflows stay smooth even during high-demand periods or facility changes. Robots play a critical role, instantly sharing alerts about obstacles or route adjustments with the central system, reducing risks and enhancing safety for human workers. Additionally, remote updates ensure the robots are always running the latest features without disrupting daily operations.
Tailored Solutions for Robotics Challenges
Two NVIDIA-powered Edge AI PCs were introduced to upgrade the robotics fleet. Each system was selected for its unique capabilities, tailored to meet the specific requirements of AMRs and AGVs in the logistics center.
VIA AMOS-9100: Designed for demanding AI applications, the VIA AMOS-9100 powers both AMRs and AGVs with its NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX processor, delivering up to 70 TOPS of AI performance. This enables real-time navigation, obstacle detection, and dynamic path planning. With dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, robust wireless connectivity options—including LoRa for long-range, low-power communication—and a versatile range of I/O features, the system integrates seamlessly with existing networks to support advanced AI-driven operations. These capabilities ensure that AMRs operate with exceptional speed and adaptability, enhancing overall efficiency and safety in industrial environments.
VIA AMOS-9000: The AMOS-9000 is ideal for structured, repetitive tasks, such as those performed by AGVs. Powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano processor with 40 TOPS of AI performance, it provides the computing power necessary for efficient task execution. Its compact, rugged design makes it well-suited for industrial environments, offering a reliable, cost-effective option for upgrading AGV operations. This system proved especially effective for AGVs operating along fixed routes.
Future-Ready Systems Built for Growth
The AMOS-9100 and AMOS-9000 offer long-term scalability, making them adaptable to evolving logistics needs. With support for NVIDIA’s JetPack SDK, they provide a platform for adding advanced features like predictive maintenance and real-time inventory tracking. Both systems also support integration with new hardware, ensuring they stay relevant as technology advances, with the AMOS-9100 excelling in complex AI functions like fleet coordination and the AMOS-9000 offering a dependable foundation for scaling AGV fleets.
The Right Tools for the Job
The VIA AMOS-9100 and AMOS-9000 are versatile, powerful, and scalable solutions that address the unique challenges of modern logistics.
Discover how the VIA AMOS-9100 and VIA AMOS-9000 can enhance your robotics fleet and streamline your logistics operations. Also check out our full range of Intelligent Edge Solutions.