The challenge
Mobile robots providing safety and security in industry across Australia
A team of autonomous mobile robots can improve safety and efficiency in a variety of fields by entering and surveying challenging environments that are not safe for humans. Search and rescue, agriculture, critical infrastructure and mining are just some of the industries that require this capability.
Deploying teams of robots to help deliver outcomes in complex scenarios often requires them to operate dependably in unstructured and changing environments where there is no external positioning systems such as GPS or pre-existing localisation maps.
Robots must use their on-board sensors and perception algorithms to simultaneously build detailed maps of the environment whilst localising themselves within them. This capability is called SLAM, or Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping.
SLAM solutions must be robust, reliable and accurate enough to meet the needs of multiple industries.
Our response
Algorithms convert data from robots sensors into environmental map
Remote controlled robots require constant monitoring by an operator, but with perception pack Wildcat, these machines can operate autonomously. Wildcat enables a vehicle to map, analyse and navigate its surrounding environment without any human intervention, an action that could save resources, time and money.
Designed to enable autonomy for robots working in a team, Wildcat is a cutting-edge 3D SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) software with world-leading accuracy and robustness. The technology’s highly-accurate mapping and positioning capabilities enable machines to successfully navigate unsafe, complex and unstructured environments without GPS or other external positioning information.
The ‘CatPack’ perception system contains Wildcat software and can be attached to any ground robot or vehicle to provide real-time localisation and mapping data for autonomous operation and high-fidelity mapping.
Wildcat’s performance and capability is based on ten years of cutting edge research and is designed to be one of the world’s most versatile, robust and accurate SLAM solutions for use in:
- Perception systems for autonomous robots, drones and vehicles
- Robot teaming in challenging environments
- Real-time mapping and localisation for mobile applications
- Improvedperformance of existing sensor payloads
- High definition 3D multi-modal sensing
The technology works in conjunction with an IMU (Inertial Motion Unit) and LiDAR sensors with the option to add other sensors such as chemical, radiological, gas, GPS and Wi-Fi.
Wildcat's advantages include:
- Robust Performance: It works reliably in the toughest environments such as tunnels, confined spaces and open areas, where other SLAM systems fail. The system automatically corrects for errors in large maps.
- Extreme Accuracy: Wildcat won the most accurate object detection prize in the DARPA Subterranean Challenge, a global robotics competition for underground exploration and mapping, where CSIRO competed against the best field robotics groups in the world.
- Versatile, Modular and Reconfigurable: It has an easy-to-deploy core and plug-in system to support new functionality and experimentation and can is easily adapted to work with novel sensors and sensor configurations.
- Increased Performance: Wildcat is equipped with advanced algorithms designed for use in real-world systems.
- Easy to integrate: It is ROS compatible, with a documented SDK (Software Development Kit) and offers Window support.
- Efficient Real-Time Operation: It runs with embedded CPUs, multi-process and multi-thread options, with low bandwidth map sharing.
- Game-changing Features: Multi-agent SLAM enables teams of people and robots to rapidly map and explore complex environments.
Wildcat can be built into new or existing products and services to provide accurate, robust, fast, efficient localisation and mapping to navigate both built and natural environments in 3D.
The results
A versatile, robust and accurate SLAM solution
Wildcat is designed for the needs of industry, and the potential to improve safety and productivity is significant. Our goal is to work with Australian companies to commercialise the technology within different market segments.
Wildcat can provide companies with a significant technological edge that assists with driving export opportunities and jobs growth. It also supports broader Australian industry through the development of new products and services that can be sourced and supported through the domestic supply chain.
Wildcat is designed for:
- Autonomous systems
- Perception systems for autonomous robots, drones and vehicles
- Mobile mapping and localisation
- Real-time mapping and localisation for mobile applications
- Retro-fitted systems
- Additions to pre-existing sensor payloads requiring state estimation.
The Wildcat Early Adopter Program provides early access to the Wildcat technology and is a free to join opportunity for selected participants. The program enables small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to evaluate and develop new products and services using world-class and high-performance technology.
As part of the program, selected participants receive:
- 12 months non-exclusive access and use of the Wildcat software
- The option to licence our "Catpack" integrated perception system design (seen in the above image, mounted onto a Nexxis inspection robot)
- Basic integration support and basic training
- Basic ongoing support for data processing and de-bugging.
Commercial gains from utilisation of the software during the program will attract a fee.
Emesent, a drone autonomy technology company, is Wildcat's first early adopter, and are accompanied by several other companies.
For SMEs who may be unsure if Wildcat is compatible with their products, a feasibility study can be undertaken to identify opportunities. If engineering support is required for integration only, we may be able to assist via a side project.
For further information on Wildcat please contact Fred Pauling on fred.pauling@csiro.au.