With the rapid development of technology, robots are being applied more widely across various fields. From material handling and assembly in industrial production to goods sorting and transportation in logistics warehousing, and even cleaning and companionship in household services, robots are gradually integrating into all aspects of our lives. However, as the usage scenarios of robots become increasingly complex, their operational safety issues have become more prominent, with collision risks being one of the key challenges requiring urgent solutions. The emergence of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology has provided an innovative solution for robot collision avoidance, and UWB modules are increasingly becoming the "protectors" of safe robot operation.
一、UWB Technology: The "Secret Weapon" of High-Precision Positioning
UWB, or Ultra-Wideband technology, is a wireless communication technology that uses extremely short pulses (nanosecond-level) for data transmission. Compared with traditional wireless communication technologies, UWB has many unique advantages.
UWB technology can achieve centimeter-level positioning accuracy, which is a significant feature distinguishing it from other positioning technologies. In robot operating environments, whether in complex indoor factory workshops or diversely laid-out logistics warehouses, accurate position information is crucial for robot obstacle avoidance. For example, in industrial production lines, robots need to carry components precisely in narrow spaces, where even slight deviations can lead to collisions. The centimeter-level positioning accuracy provided by UWB modules ensures that robots can accurately perceive their own positions in complex environments, providing a reliable basis for obstacle avoidance decisions.
UWB uses nanosecond-level short pulses for communication, enabling extremely high data transmission rates, easily reaching hundreds of Mbps. During the real-time operation of robots, environmental information changes rapidly, and fast data transmission allows robots to promptly obtain information such as the positions and distances of surrounding obstacles and react quickly. For instance, in dynamic logistics warehouses, handling robots need to rapidly respond to the position changes of surrounding forklifts, staff, and other mobile devices. The high-speed data transmission characteristic of UWB ensures that robots can receive and process this information in real time, adjust their movement paths promptly, and avoid collisions.
UWB signals have extremely strong anti-interference capabilities. In practical application scenarios, various wireless signal interferences often exist, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. However, UWB technology can operate stably in complex electromagnetic environments due to its unique signal characteristics. Take factory environments as an example: with numerous electrical devices and complex electromagnetic interferences in workshops, UWB modules can effectively resist these interferences and accurately provide positioning and ranging information for robots, ensuring their safe operation in complex electromagnetic environments.
二、The Working Mechanism of UWB Modules in Robot Collision Avoidance
In robot collision avoidance systems, UWB modules mainly function through two methods: ranging and positioning.
UWB modules use the Time-of-Flight (ToF) principle for ranging. When a robot transmits a UWB signal, the signal reflects back upon encountering an obstacle. The UWB module calculates the time difference between signal transmission and reception and combines it with the signal's propagation speed in the air to accurately compute the distance to the obstacle. For example, when a sweeping robot is working, its onboard UWB module continuously transmits signals to the surroundings. When detecting obstacles such as furniture ahead, it can quickly calculate the distance and adjust the cleaning path in advance to avoid collisions.
By enabling communication between multiple UWB base stations and UWB tags on robots, precise positioning of robots can be achieved. Base stations are distributed within the robot's working area, while tags are installed on the robot body. After each base station receives the signal transmitted by the tag, it can calculate the robot's precise position coordinates in space using algorithms such as Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) or Angle of Arrival (AOA). In large logistics warehouses, where numerous AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) robots shuttle between different shelves, the UWB positioning technology allows the system to grasp the real-time position of each AGV. Through reasonable scheduling and path planning, it effectively prevents collisions between AGVs and between AGVs and shelves.
三、Application Cases of UWB Modules in Different Types of Robots
(一) Industrial Robots: Enhancing Production Safety and Efficiency
In the industrial production sector, robots are widely used, but collision risks cannot be ignored. For example, in automobile manufacturing plants, industrial robots are responsible for handling heavy components and performing precision assembly. Traditional collision avoidance technologies have certain limitations in complex industrial environments, but the introduction of UWB modules has significantly improved this situation. By installing UWB tags and base stations on robots, surrounding equipment, and staff, the system can monitor the relative positions of robots with surrounding objects and personnel in real time. When the distance between a robot and an obstacle or personnel approaches a preset safety threshold, the system immediately issues a warning and controls the robot to decelerate or stop, effectively preventing collision accidents, ensuring workers' safety, reducing equipment damage and production downtime caused by collisions, and improving production efficiency.
(二) Service Robots: Optimizing User Experience
Take household service robots as an example, including sweeping robots and companion robots that have close contact with humans in home environments. Home environments are complex and changeable, with various furniture, appliances, and family members' activities, which impose high safety requirements on robots. A sweeping robot equipped with a UWB module can accurately perceive the positions and boundaries of furniture, achieve precise obstacle avoidance, and avoid damaging furniture due to collisions. Meanwhile, when interacting with family members, the UWB module can monitor the distance between the robot and personnel in real time, ensuring the robot operates within a safe distance and providing users with a safer and more comfortable service experience. For companion robots, UWB technology enables them to better follow their owners and stop in a timely manner when approaching obstacles or dangerous areas, ensuring the safety of both themselves and users.
(三) Logistics and Warehousing Robots: Ensuring Safe Cargo Transportation
In the logistics and warehousing industry, a large number of AGV robots are tasked with cargo handling, sorting, and other operations in warehouses. With numerous shelves in warehouses and a high number of AGVs operating at relatively fast speeds, the risk of collision is significant. A collision avoidance system built with UWB modules can provide each AGV with high-precision positioning and ranging information. Through unified system scheduling, AGVs can plan optimal paths based on real-time position information to avoid collisions with other AGVs, shelves, and staff. For example, when multiple AGVs meet in a narrow passage, the UWB positioning system allows them to give way in an orderly manner, ensuring efficient and safe cargo transportation and improving the overall operational efficiency of warehousing and logistics.
