In a move set to advance the technological capacities of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), oToBrite Electronics Inc. and Advantech have embarked on a strategic collaboration announced this week. This cooperation brings together oToBrite's extensive experience in artificial intelligence, machine vision, and automotive-grade camera systems with Advantech's prowess in global industrial Internet of Things (IoT).
The collaboration aims to develop high-performance yet affordable perception systems for mobile robots. As part of this initiative, oToBrite's high-speed automotive Gigabit Multiple Serial Link (GMSL) cameras will be integrated with Advantech’s AFE-R360 platform, which is driven by Intel’s Core Ultra H/U processors, known under the codenames Meteor Lake.
This integration promises to bring high-resolution, low-latency artificial intelligence capabilities to the next generation of AMRs, a development expected to benefit diverse sectors including logistics and manufacturing.
AMRs, which are increasingly utilized in scenarios such as warehouse logistics, last-mile delivery, and operations involving terminal or yard tractors, stand to gain from the real-time, high-resolution perception facilitated by GMSL technology. According to oToBrite, the demand for such capabilities stems from the need to provide accurate autonomous navigation across various environments. The company's history of providing advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) and vision-AI products to major automakers reflects its ability to handle substantial data flow and enable quick, real-time processing, both crucial for the success of AMRs.
Hsinchu, Taiwan-based oToBrite, which has integrated GMSL technology into SAE Level 2+ ADAS and Level 4 autonomous parking solutions, is confident that its automotive-grade technologies will aid customers in effectively deploying AMRs equipped with Advantech's platforms. Their oToCAM222 series offers cameras with resolutions of 2.5M pixels and multiple viewing angles, making them particularly suitable for low-speed AMR applications in challenging industrial environments. These cameras are designed for high-speed, low-latency data processing and boast the durability required for tough conditions.
Meanwhile, Advantech, headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, has initiated similar partnerships with other prominent names in camera technology, such as Intel RealSense, e-con Systems, and Innodisk, under its partner alignment strategy aimed at enhancing the AFE-R360 platform. Running on a powerful 16-core processor from Intel, the AFE-R360 platform is equipped with advanced Arc graphics and an integrated neural processing unit (NPU) capable of performing up to 32 trillion operations per second. This platform is further optimized for AI performance through Intel's OpenVINO toolkit.
James Wang, Director of Embedded Applications at Advantech, stated their commitment to providing innovative solutions that integrate various interfaces like MIPI and GMSL into the AFE-R360. This not only advances performance but also opens up new possibilities in imaging applications across industries. The platform includes a 3.5-inch single board computer supporting multiple MIPI-CSI lanes, crucial for seamless GMSL input, guaranteeing low latency and high noise immunity necessary for autonomous operations. It is also equipped with multiple LAN and USB-C ports to accommodate depth sensors and lidar integration.
Through this synergy, oToBrite and Advantech aim to enhance the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of AMR systems, unlocking new industrial applications and refining automation technology for future challenges.
Source: Noah Wire Services