Advantech taps BOW for robotic software
Advantech is to integrate robotic arm and autonomous mobile robot (AMR) hardware using a universal software development platform from UK startup BOW in Sheffield.
The integrated devices will simplify the development of robotics systems with a robot-agnostic software development kit (SDK). This allows developers to program different robots using the operating system and programming language of choice.
This means applications can be ported between different makes of robots and used to control robot fleets, removing the need for highly specialised robotics programmers and reducing both cost and time to deployment.
BOW, which recently received £4m in seed funding, has developed a layer that simplifies the use of the open source Robot Operating System (ROS). ROS has become a cornerstone for creating complex, multifunctional robotic applications. However, integrating and managing ROS across different robots can present a significant challenge due to the need to understand and work with each robot’s unique device tree.
With ROS, each robot comes with its own device tree, requiring developers to learn and adapt to the specifics of each robot they work with. This not only creates a steep learning curve but also increases the time and effort needed to develop applications, especially when working with multiple robots. The ROS ecosystem often resembles a monolithic stack that developers must navigate to bring together all sensors and actuators of a robot, making application development more complex.
BOW splits the ROS stack into two distinct parts: the software layer and the hardware integration layer, positioning BOW right in the middle. This allows for ROS applications to run on BOW on the hardware, streamlining the development process and making it more efficient.
The BOW SDK is ported onto the Advantech AFE-R770, the company’s first dedicated system for the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) market. The design is specifically tailored for AMR applications, considering specifications like dimensions, operating temperature, voltage, shock resistance, anti-noise features, and wireless connectivity.
This is based on the Intel 12th&13th&14th Gen. Core i3/i5/i7/i9 processor and has dedicated I/Os for AMR with four 2.5GbE, four USB3.2, two CANBus, four RS-232/422/485 and a 16bit digital I/O and a wide operating temp from -20 to 65 °C. This supports Ubuntu 22.04 Linux and the Advantech Robotic Suite which includes an AMR operating system, drivers, ROS2 environment, AI tools, simulation capabilities, SLAM, and navigation tools.
The partnership is aimed at manufacturing, machine automation, telemedicine and AgriTech.
This follows the seed round and the appointment of Liz Upton, co-founder of Raspberry Pi, as chair of the BOW board.
The robotics sector is forecast to reach $260 billion by 2030 and is experiencing a surge in demand for smarter, faster automation. However, developers face significant interoperability and programming challenges, compounded by a shortage of specialised roboticist developers.
The two companies are showing a UR5 arm and Sarcomere Dynamic Artus Lite hands software using the AFE-R770, expanding the use of the hardware beyond AMR systems.
“Our partnership with BOW combines our world-leading robot arms / AMR controllers with BOW’s universal software platform to enable Robot Manufacturers, developers and end-users to simplify the deployment of robotics applications and accelerate innovation. We’re excited to showcase how together we are making robotics more accessible and applicable across a wide range of industries,” said Reinier Middel, Senior Sales Director Embedded IoT of Advantech.
“We are delighted to partner with Advantech so that OEMs, developers, and end-users have access to the best integrated robotics hardware and software on the market, under one centralised, easy-to-use, operating system. BOW’s universal SDKs are supporting industry innovation at scale, accelerating the integration of robotics and AI to help the world realise robotics’ full potential,” said Nick Thompson, CEO of BOW.
www.usebow.com; www.advantech.com
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