Advantech, a global leader in AIoT and Edge Computing, has unveiled its latest innovation, the AFE-R360, a groundbreaking Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) designed to meet the evolving demands of the robot market. This state-of-the-art robot sets a new standard for performance and versatility in the industry by integrating MIPI-CSI and GMSL sensor technologies with the x86 Intel Core Ultra platform.
The AFE-R360 is powered by the Intel Core Ultra processors, providing a powerful edge computing platform for complex robotic applications. With an integrated GPU, NPU, MIPI-CSI, GMSL, and Intel RealSense Depth Camera D457 support, along with the Intel OpenVINO toolkit, this robot delivers exceptional performance with low power consumption. It is an ideal choice for building and deploying cutting-edge robotic solutions.
To process high-resolution images and conduct AI analysis, the AFE-R360 utilizes the latest Intel Core Ultra Processor, which integrates an NPU and GPU for optimal performance and power usage. The platform delivers 32 TOPS, enabling it to handle AI detection tasks and adapt to dynamic surroundings. For users requiring higher performance, the AFE-R360 offers AI-scalability solutions through an M.2 slot with a Hailo module or USB4 interface MIOe-UMXM with A4500 MXM GPUs, boosting AI performance by up to 4 times.
Advantech has also integrated MIPI-CSI and GMSL technologies into the AFE-R360, making it the first off-the-shelf solution available on the Intel platform. These advanced imaging technologies allow for uncompressed, high frame rate input and data transmission over distances of up to 15 meters. The AFE-R360 also features multiple USB-C and Ethernet ports to accommodate LiDar, ToF, and traditional RGB cameras, catering to the diverse needs of the robotics industry.
To strengthen their AMR solution, Advantech has collaborated with camera technology providers such as Intel RealSense, e-con Systems, Innodisk, and oToBrite. This partnership ensures the development of camera solutions that enhance performance and enable new possibilities in imaging applications across various industries.
The AFE-R360DVK, a MIPI and GMSL solution, offers an efficient user experience with pre-installed BIOS settings, camera drivers, Ubuntu OS, ROS2, and camera modules. This makes it an ideal choice for applications such as AMR, patrol robots, and smart transportation. The system is set to launch in October 2024.
Designed specifically for AMRs, the AFE-R360 integrates necessary I/O directly into a compact 3.5″ SBC, maximizing space and efficiency. It features a range of I/O configurations, including CAN FD ports for battery and motor control, RS-232/422/485 UART ports for various sensors, USB and LAN ports for camera support, and DC-in 12-24V for diverse charging configurations. The AFE-R360 also offers expansion capabilities through M.2 slots for flexible configurations, wireless connectivity options, and support for RAID and additional NPU performance.
To streamline AMR development, Advantech provides the Advantech Robotic Suite, which includes a ROS environment, APIs, and AI tools. These software solutions accelerate the development process for R&D teams, enabling them to easily and quickly implement key AMR functions such as vehicle control, navigation, SLAM, and pallet barcode recognition.
The AFE-R360 is now available for order, and Advantech continues to lead the way in providing cutting-edge technology for the robotics industry. For more information about the AFE-R360, please visit Advantech’s website.
About Advantech:
Advantech is a global leader in IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms. The company promotes IoT hardware and software solutions with its industrial IoT platform, WISE-IoT core, to assist business partners and clients in connecting their industrial chains. Advantech aims to enable an intelligent planet by embracing the trends of IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence.