High-performance automation platform and cameras offer a configurable all-in-one solution
Autonomous and highly automated mobile machines and attachments require high-performance computers to bring together the multitude of sensor information in a targeted manner. For machine manufacturers, the fusion of camera-based sensors and electrical actuators in combination with cloud and satellite services is a major challenge. With the HPX.ai-vision, STW has developed a central automation platform that enables the holistic automation of machines and robots in a single device.
There are many 360-degree surround view system providers, as well as those with integrated person or object recognition. However, these systems often do not do justice to the complexity and flexibility of mobile machinery. Two examples: Tractors pull a variety of different attachments depending on their use, construction machines often transform their external dimensions to an extreme degree depending on whether they are on the road or in the work process. Conventional environmental detection systems cannot be adapted to these conditions. The area monitored is the one defined in advance.
Another challenging use case: outdoor applications in mobile robotics. In addition to environmental detection to ensure collision avoidance with objects - and even more importantly: with living beings - and the automation of the driving and work process, geofencing specifications must be taken into account to ensure operation within the predefined work area. For these applications, different automation platforms need to be merged, data captured and brought into a standardized format.
And that has to be done functionally safe, as Christian Klausner, Director Product Management at STW, explains: “As long as a machine operator is sitting on the vehicle, functional safety is also important, but not as crucial as in field robotics, for example. These robots require AI-based environment recognition and compatible actuator and driving systems that independently recognize and decide when an unsafe situation may arise and take appropriate countermeasures. The HPX platform is a solution that also meets these high safety requirements.” With the HPX.ai-vision, STW offers a pre-configured, flexibly adaptable, intelligent complete surround view system with options in the overall system up to ASIL-B safety certification.
Merging LIDAR and camera systems
The automation platform comes in the robust die-cast aluminum housing typical for STW. The HPX.ai-vision is available with protection class up to IP6K7 and requires no active cooling. This makes the high-performance platform suitable for the most demanding applications in agricultural, construction, forestry and municipal technology under adverse environmental conditions.
In terms of connectivity to sensor and downstream control systems, the HPX platform leaves nothing to be desired. Up to eight high-resolution (GMSL2) cameras can be connected, as can displays. Up to ten single-pair Ethernet connections and a 100/1000 Base-TX interface allow data transmission at up to 1 Gbit/s. A USB port, CAN and RS232 interfaces complete the connectivity options.
The special feature: Camera and LIDAR combinations can be processed and evaluated in parallel with the HPX.ai-vision without any loss of performance. The high-performance computer also enables the integration of several AI-based systems. For example, an additional camera system can be used for AI-supported process optimization in addition to intelligent 360-degree all-round vision monitoring with person recognition. Applications for this can be found in precision farming or in networked road construction.
Previously, several dedicated systems were required for such solutions, as Christian Klausner explains: “The HPX platform gives machine manufacturers greater flexibility. Fewer individual systems that need to be harmonized means less complexity - in addition to the obvious benefits such as lower acquisition and operating costs. Our open software systems also enable the integration of additional cloud computing services to get even more information out of the data.”
Powerful hardware
The HPX.ai-vision offers an innovative processor architecture for processing data on the machine. A QuadCore Linux CPU acts as the main processor. A dedicated GPU processes the camera and sensor information pre-processed by the integrated FPGA in the AMD Zynq™ UltraScale+™ MPSoC. An independent, powerful AI processor is available for implementing AI functions such as people recognition systems.
In conjunction with cloud-based systems, which are connected via the STW communication module TCG, for example, machine and robot operators can connect AWS services, which enable direct linking with ERP software services. The functionally safe control of the machine actuators can be carried out from the HPX.ai-vision through to the safety-certified STW controllers of the ESX.4 family. The monitoring of pressures, temperatures, accelerations and angles can also be implemented with highly robust and - depending on the variant - safety-certified STW sensors.
At bauma, STW will be presenting the HPX.ai-vision as a future-proof plug-and-play solution for intelligent surround view systems. Machine manufacturers can purchase the bundle consisting of a central control unit and compatible cameras (ArkCam Velos) directly from STW and integrate it in a user-friendly way in conjunction with the STW modular system consisting of control units, sensors and software.
STW at bauma: Hall A2, Stand 225.