3D Visual SLAM Enhances ABB’s Flexley Mover AMR Navigation

ABB has announced the integration of its AMR Studio fleet programming software and 3D Visual SLAM into its Flexley Mover P604 AMR. The system utilizes embedded AI algorithms to assess and distinguish between fixed navigation references and moving vehicles, objects, and persons, responding accordingly to maneuver safely. The culmination of AI, SLAM-enabled 3D vision, and fleet coordination creates a powerful perception system that is primed to enhance agility and efficiency in warehousing, logistics, production lines, and other industrial operations.

ABB’s Flexley Mover leverages AI and 3D Visual SLAM to detect, perceive, and avoid both fixed and moving objects and persons in dynamic environments. Image used courtesy of ABB

AMR Market Growth

The boom in e-commerce is a key driver behind evolving AMR technologies, with the US leading the way in AMR adoption. Europe maintained the highest revenue share of approximately 31% in 2024. The global AMR market was valued at $3.96 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a staggering $29.66 billion by 2034. The calculated compound annual growth rate for this exponential value growth is 22.31%.

AMRs are becoming increasingly prevalent within intralogistics operations, with businesses endeavoring to boost transit and handling efficiencies through the use of machine vision and AI-supported bots to expedite the movement of goods through the order fulfillment process, thereby keeping up with the rapid growth of online customer e-commerce sales.

An overview of the newly upgraded Flexley Mover with 3D Visual SLAM navigation and structured AMR fleet programming through AMR Studio. Video used courtesy of ABB

Advanced AMR fleets and their associated management systems are also becoming a means of easing worker burden and effort, reducing workload, enhancing safety, and lowering labor costs overall. Workers can now concentrate on higher-value tasks and upskill themselves to use more advanced software and hardware systems.

Another advantage of employing AMR fleets in warehousing and logistics operations is their ability to operate 24/7 in lights-out environments, achieving higher throughput, generating increased revenue, and conserving valuable energy.

3D Visual SLAM

ABB is enhancing its lifting and transporting AMR, the Flexley Mover P604, with human-like perception capabilities, utilizing 3D visual SLAM technology. Unlike 2D SLAM, which takes a 2D ‘slice’ of its surrounding environment, 3D Visual SLAM produces 3D maps of its area. The ability to perceive the surrounding environment with full volumetric detail and at different heights is what separates 3D Visual SLAM from conventional SLAM technologies, allowing AMRs to sense and perceive overhead objects, forklift forks, and other protruding objects or obstructions that 2D SLAM could not.

Customers can use the integrated AMR Studio programming software to edit and add newly mapped areas, helping to stagger commissioning. Video used courtesy of ABB

3D mapping and advanced software help reduce commissioning time (by up to 20%, according to ABB) and deployment, as the 3D Visual SLAM system requires external input from devices in the surrounding environment. The technology adapts to both indoor and outdoor environments, continually updating mapping information in real-time to provide a continuous, agile vision. ABB states that its Visual SLAM technology enables customers to achieve high-precision positioning of up to +/- 5 mm, depending on the AMR employed and its immediate area.

The positioning data can be shared from one Flexey Mover to other AMRs in the fleet through an AI learning algorithm. This capability enables customers to scale up or down their fleet operations as needed, providing dynamic and responsive transportation and delivery of goods.

AMR Studio

The sophisticated and intuitive software suite ABB's AMR Studio was created to help optimize the capabilities of AMR fleets. It provides a user-friendly platform for users regardless of technical proficiency. Fundamentally, AMR Studio utilizes the Flexley Movers' sophisticated 3D Visual SLAM navigation technology, which facilitates interaction and engagement with its surroundings. By enabling flexible AMR fleet command, AMR Studio enables industrial businesses to enhance the efficiency of their internal logistics processes.

Core Functions

Three crucial features are provided by ABB's AMR Studio, enabling users to manage their AMR fleets. The Layout Designer allows you to precisely specify navigation courses and map out real-world locations to support safe and effective robot movement. The Mission Manager provides code-free planning of complex operations, enabling the allocation of duties to AMR fleets and seamless integration with existing workflows. Last but not least, Vehicle Diagnostics provides a clear view into the condition and performance of AMR fleets by offering troubleshooting tools and collecting data in real-time, supporting maximum uptime and helping to improve operational effectiveness.