The robots that will follow

Piaggio Fast Forward teams with Trimble to develop tech to help robots follow the leader

A click of a button activates the following technology within the PFFtag

‘Smart following’ technology firm Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF) has, along with positioning specialist Trimble, announced the development of technology that allow robots to follow humans or other machines.

The two companies have developed a prototype device, which sits on the Spot robotic platform developed by Boston Dynamics.

The technology opens up a third mode of navigating sites for Spot, with following added to its remote control and autonomous operations.

Furthermore, once a specific path has been demonstrated to the device, it can repeat that path fully autonomously, avoiding obstacles and responding to changes in the environment.

Boston Dynamics’ Spot robotic platform, carrying Trimble’s scanning technology and the PFFtag developed by Piaggio Fast Forward

PFF engineers originally developed the following technology for the company’s own gita robot, subsequently adapting it to create a stand-alone module called PFFtag, which could be integrated into other machines or robots.

The technology also allows for platooning, with a number of autonomous machines following a leader.

Trimble equipped a Spot robot with its laser scanning or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensors, plus the new PFFtag device, as part of the proof-of-concept for the technology. The company tested it over the course of two months, at one of its customer’s sites in Colorado, US.

The PFFtag technology allows for the platooning of multiple machines

PFFtag enables the software of external partners to communicate with PFF’s own software, allowing a human to control the robot via pairing. Trimble says this and the device’s fused sensor array improves the robot’s ability to sense direction and velocity as it follows the leader.

Michele Colaninno, founder and chairman of Piaggio Fast Forward, said, “Robots are a growing presence in our lives, both private and professional, helping to make human activities less burdensome and more efficient. When technology and robotics are put at people’s service, I believe they can play a significant role in transforming individual mobility and re-defining workplaces and urban environments to make them more sustainable and people-friendly, and so help create a better future.”

Supporting documents

Click links below to download and view individual files.

 
20sec PFFtagxTrimble.mp4 Size: 23.4 MB Click to download
MAGAZINE
NEWSLETTER
Delivered directly to your inbox, Construction Technology Newsletter features the pick of the breaking news stories, product launches, show reports and more from KHL's world-class editorial team.
Latest News
Danfoss launches software to accelerate autonomous machine development
The software consists of preprogrammed and pretested software blocks built into Danfoss’ XM100 autonomous controller hardware
How can construction firms bring order to complex supply chains using technology?
Matt Bloor explores how technology can change the way companies manage their supply chains
VIDEO: Autonomous excavator builds six-metre-high stone wall
Researchers have developed an autonomous spider excavator capable of building stone walls by itself.
CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Andy Brown Editor, Editorial, UK - Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786224 E-mail: andy.brown@khl.com
Mike Hayes Editor, Construction Europe Tel: +44 (0)1892 786 231 E-mail: mike.hayes@khl.com
Catrin Jones Deputy Editor, Editorial, UK – Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 791 2298 133 E-mail: catrin.jones@khl.com
Eleanor Shefford Sales Manager Tel: +44 (0)1892 786236 E-mail: eleanor.shefford@khl.com
CONNECT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA