Velodyne Lidar launches autonomous mobile robot and solid-state sensor for last mile delivery
Anand Gopalan of Velodyne Lidar
Velodyne Lidar announced the Velarray M1600. This is an innovative solid-state rider sensor designed for mobile robot applications. This sensor is the latest in the new Bella Ray product line and in the new M series. Manufactured using Velodyne’s groundbreaking proprietary Microrider Array Architecture (MLA), it leverages Velodyne’s manufacturing partners for cost optimisation and mass production.
The Bellaray M1600 enables non-contact mobile robots and last mile delivery robots to operate autonomously and safely without human intervention. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of online shopping and delivery services in food, pharmaceutical, consumer and commercial goods. According to CNBC, holiday shopping records such as Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday broke all past records of online shopping and delivery service usage, partly because of COVID-. It was 19 pandemics. Adobe Analytics expects online spending for the entire holiday period to be $ 184 billion (151.36 billion), an increase of 30% compared to 2019.
Velodyne Lidar CEO Anand Gopalan says, “The Velodyne M1600 Rider Sensor is the latest proof of Velodyne’s innovation track record. This sensor is designed for mass-produced mobile robot applications and is a direct opinion from robot and last mile delivery customers. This small, durable sensor can be deployed in a wide range of environmental and weather conditions and can be used 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Autonomous mobile robots can be safely operated without human intervention. It can provide the smart, real-time sensory data needed to enable long-term operation. ”
The Bellaray M1600 provides autonomous robots with outstanding short-range perception up to 30 metres and a wide 32 degree vertical field of view, allowing them to traverse unstructured and changing environments. This sensor allows robots for delivery and security purposes to safely move through crowded urban areas and aisles.
In addition, the Bellaray M1600 enables the operation of autonomous mobile robots in environments such as warehouses, retail centres, industrial plants, and medical facilities. For customers who want a perceptual solution package, Velodyne offers Vella software. It uses Bella Ray M1600 data for object and hazard detection to protect road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and pets.
Designed for functional safety and durability, the Bellaray M1600 supports autonomous mobile robots under a wide range of environmental conditions, including temperature, illuminance, and rainfall. This small form factor sensor is suitable for external mounting, but it is also easy to incorporate into a robot system. For more information on lidar-enhancing robots, download Velodyne’s white paper, The Benefits of 3D Lidar for Autonomous Mobile Robots .
A driver for existing robot operating systems, the Bellaray M1600 provides a developer-friendly interface. The modest power requirements of this sensor allow the robot to run for extended periods of time on a single battery charge. We provide samples to qualified customers and can provide them in about 6 to 8 weeks.
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