AGV: Revolutionizing Construction with Robotic Innovation

Designers Fan Wu and Hao Meng's AGV Wins Platinum A' Design Award

The construction industry has been grappling with issues such as labor shortages, poor construction quality, and low productivity. Traditional construction methods are fraught with challenges, including complex environments, noise, dust, and safety risks. Recognizing these issues, designers Fan Wu and Hao Meng conceived the idea of AGV - a construction chassis with a friendly human-machine interaction mode to aid construction robotic arms, thereby enhancing the level of construction industrialization.

What sets AGV apart is its design and functionality. It is a platform specifically designed and optimized for complex building construction environments. It can be equipped with robotic arms or a lifting system, and can plan its own behavior according to the complex external environment. With its exceptional barrier-crossing ability and athletic performance, AGV can assist humans in performing dangerous construction work.

The AGV is not just about functionality; it also boasts an aesthetically pleasing design. It features a smooth shape and a surface adorned with colorful adjustable indicator light belts that complete the whole human-machine interaction. The surface is covered with 3A green lacquer, and the entire machine is made of high-strength, low-density aviation aluminum, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and stability. The main framework has a dustproof and waterproof design, with a protection level that can reach IP 67. The parts are oxidized and wear-resistant, and the steering wheel is made of high-quality rubber, ensuring low operating noise and perfect compatibility with the complex construction environment.

The AGV uses Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and dual radar 360-degree detection of obstacles to achieve autonomous positioning in the construction scene, ensuring high positioning accuracy and safety of ±5MM. It adopts a unique four-steering-wheel navigation algorithm to achieve autonomous path planning, obstacle crossing, and other functions, making it flexible and safe. The AGV is equipped with a self-developed modular system that can quickly assemble and complete the rapid arrangement of the work position of medium-sized industrial robotic arms within 500KG through the self-adjusting platform.

The development of the AGV began in March 2019 and was completed in June 2020. It received CR certification in August 2020 and was officially released to the public in early September 2020. The AGV was the first construction robot to be unveiled at the China International Industry Fair in mid-September 2020. Since December 2020, the AGVs have participated in the construction of the site of the 1st National Congress of the CPC in Shanghai and were on display in March 2021 to be inspected by Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the CPC.

AGV's design and development were not without challenges. The project required a self-developed modular system to cooperate with robotic arms for complex construction tasks. It required basic knowledge of design and construction to ensure the safe operation of this dangerous industrial equipment. The designers developed a new four-steering-wheel navigation algorithm to accomplish autonomous path planning, obstacle crossing, and other behaviors in a safe manner and try their best to make the most precise positioning. They are also required to have extensive experience in the construction and programming, in order to achieve multiple scenario applications in factories and construction sites, reach the largest loading, respond more flexibly to the production needs of large builds, and lower the production costs.

The AGV's innovative design and functionality have not gone unnoticed. It was awarded Platinum in A' Robotics, Automaton and Automation Design Award in 2021. The Platinum A' Design Award recognizes world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs that showcase unmatched professionalism, genius, and contribute to societal wellbeing. Awarded to the defining aesthetics of an era, they advance the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology, exhibiting transcendent excellence and making the world a better place.