R20 autonomous robot

ST have worked with autonomous mobile robots since 1989. At that time the prototype was connected via an umbilical cable to a fixed computer. Now autonomous robots have come of age and ST will soon launch the R20 (code named "mercury").

In teach mode the robot is led around the proposed workspace, or it can find it's own way around. As it does so it builds a map of its workspace so that when commanded to go from A to B in the future it can do so swiftly. The robot has a gyroscope and various types of sensor working together which permit it to locate itself in the workspace, however large, and to avoid obstacles and surprises like people appearing in front of it etc. Needless to say it is confined to flat floors at present but planned communications devices will permit it to use elevators.

The applications for this new robot will be such things as local area couriers in factories, hospitals (perhaps with a locking compartment for drugs etc), laboratories, offices and nuclear establishments. However we would really appreciate some feedback before finalising the design. We would like to know what possible applications you can envisage in your organisation at any time in the future and what changes you would need to the basic design shown above. Please use the feedback form below.