This master’s thesis presents the design, development, and implementation of a control system for an autonomous mobile robot equipped with a collaborative robotic manipulator. It focuses on integrating the MiR100 mobile platform with the UR5e manipulator and Robotiq gripper, emphasizing the potential for enhancing automation across various industries through mobile manipulation.
It presents an overview of the concept of mobile manipulators, which combine mobility with advanced manipulation capabilities, thereby significantly expanding the workspace of the manipulator. This is followed by a thorough investigation into the capabilities of the industrial interface of the MiR100 mobile platform and its safety system. A significant portion of the research involved the development of a control system using the Robot Operating System (ROS), which facilitated seamless communication and coordination between the mobile platform and the manipulator, allowing for the autonomous execution of complex tasks.
Experiments were conducted to evaluate the capabilities of the developed system. These experiments focused on key aspects of the robotic cell -- the validation of the mobile platform's safety system and the repeatability of the mobile manipulator. The findings from these experiments were then used to design practical applications, demonstrating the robot cell's potential through the precise assembly of mechanical components and the transportation of materials within a simulated industrial environment. The applications demonstrated the mobile manipulator's reliability in executing complex tasks autonomously.
The outcomes of this research are supplemented by detailed online manuals aimed at guiding future users in deploying and utilizing the robotic cell. These manuals provide step-by-step instructions, ensuring that
the system’s advanced capabilities are accessible to operators with varying levels of expertise.
Overall, this thesis demonstrates how the integration of mobile platforms and collaborative robots can significantly enhance automation, making processes more efficient and flexible, while the developed robot cell and its control system can serve as a basis for future research.
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