Project information

In this project, a robot platform has been developed to autonomously follow people carrying heavy materials. The aim is to relieve safety officials such as police, fire services, and defence personnel in their task of moving this material. Think of a battering ram here. This allows people to keep their hands free, become tired less quickly, and enables them to react faster and better in (dangerous) situations. 

What has been realised?

The project group has independently created a design for the autonomous robot platform. Various types of sensors have been used to recognise a person and follow them at a distance. As many functionalities as possible have been incorporated into the robot. This is to demonstrate the possibilities for an autonomous robot platform. The end product has been realised in the form of a prototype. 

A subsequent project group has made an addition based on UWB (Ultra-Wideband). The UWB enables the robot to continue following the operator, even if the camera can no longer see the operator, allowing the robot to follow straight lines more effectively. Additionally, a start and stop function has been added to prevent the system from stopping abruptly. Although there were technical issues with following the route, the concept for this has been developed and can serve as a good starting point for future groups. 

What has been learned? 

The project members have learned to approach a project in a new way, using a new working method. The project is feature-driven, meaning that as many functionalities as possible had to be incorporated into the robot platform. By adapting quickly and anticipating new developments, the group managed to deliver a prototype within 20 weeks. Additionally, the client has gained new inspiration regarding the possibilities for the project's future.