Bosch presents automation software for service robots

Service robots for crafts and industry are trending. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), 121,000 of these smart machines were sold worldwide for professional use in 2021, marking a 37 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The application possibilities are diverse and include the hospitality industry, medical technology, agriculture, and building cleaning. The functional quality of mobile robots is significantly determined by the automation software.

“With our new software concept for automation, we simplify the development of service robots and particularly facilitate access to the growing robot market for small and medium-sized manufacturers,” explains Philipp Kurek, responsible for the Off-Highway sector at Bosch Engineering GmbH.

Modular Structure

Bosch's software platform is modular in structure. With its three components for localization and mapping, obstacle detection, and path planning (navigation), it offers all the functionalities for complete robot automation. The software modules can either be integrated into the robot's control electronics as a coordinated package or individually. The Bosch Group has extensive experience and significant research expertise in the areas of navigation, driver assistance systems, and automation, for instance, through developments for the automotive sector.

“On this basis, we were able to develop robot software with particularly precise, efficient environment detection, reliable signal evaluation, and intelligent navigation function. Obstacles are safely circumnavigated, and collisions are avoided,” adds Isabell Maier, Head of Automation & Robotics at Bosch Engineering GmbH.

Flexible Parameters

The parameters of the automation software can be flexibly adjusted to the specific requirements of the application. For example, a close avoidance of obstacles can be specified for cleaning robots, just as a larger safety distance can be set for robots that transport potentially dangerous substances, such as hot liquids. The software also provides great freedoms in the hardware concept. Depending on the operating conditions of the robot, Lidar sensors, cameras, or other sensors can be integrated into the system. Standardized interfaces through the ROS (Robot Operating System) make it easier to integrate the software modules into the machine's software architecture.