Based on the SRC controller, SEER Robotics, in collaboration with partners, provides a standard intelligent forklift product line that includes four types: pallet truck, stacker, counterbalance, and single-fork arm. These can be used in scenarios such as unmanned loading and unloading, production line docking, warehouse area transfer, cage stacking, high-level storage and retrieval, and multi-vehicle scheduling, covering mainstream industries such as automotive, 3C electronics, heavy machinery, textiles, and logistics.

When facing more non-standard and complex needs, SEER Robotics offers a one-stop vehicle manufacturing solution based on the SRC controller as the core, helping integrator customers to manufacture intelligent forklifts at low cost and with high efficiency according to actual needs.

This article will focus on the two major units of core control and obstacle avoidance kits, and sort out how to select forklift components, making the manufacturing of intelligent forklifts accessible.

Forklift-specific controller, precise focus

Compared with lifting robots, the internal structure and end application scenarios of intelligent forklifts are more diverse and complex, so intelligent forklifts have higher requirements for the performance and stability of the control system.

SEER Robotics has two controllers specifically for manufacturing intelligent forklifts: the intelligent forklift special edition controller SRC-2000-F(S) and the intelligent forklift safety controller SRC-3000FS (forklift version), which are excellent in terms of specificity, high performance, stability, and flexibility, effectively meeting the diverse needs of intelligent forklifts in complex application scenarios.

Tailored for forklift-specific use: Integrated with various forklift-specific functions, precisely matching the advanced needs of pallet trucks, stackers, counterbalances, and three-way forklifts. SRC-2000-F(S) is mainly used for general-purpose forklifts, and SRC-3000FS (forklift version) is used for safety forklifts.

Computational upgrade and strong performance: The RBK software architecture upgrade, hardware heterogeneous acceleration, comprehensively improve the computing power of hardware and software, providing double the powerful computing power, high-performance computing capabilities, high concurrency, low latency, easily coping with complex environments, and supporting more powerful forklift business scenarios.

Intelligent positioning and navigation control: Using the industry-leading positioning and navigation technology, it can achieve ±2mm high-precision positioning and navigation, with multi-vehicle precision maintaining high consistency, ensuring that forklifts still operate accurately in complex environments.

Rich interfaces for secondary development: Provide API interfaces such as TCP/IP, Modbus, and script development environments, for independent secondary development according to specific needs, to meet customers' non-standard requirements.

Obstacle avoidance kit selection analysis

The obstacle avoidance kit consists of obstacle avoidance lasers and safety mechanical devices. Laser sensors detect obstacles without contacting them and avoid collisions to ensure safety; safety mechanical devices respond after contact with obstacles to prevent further deepening of unsafe factors.

2D obstacle avoidance laser: Can provide high-precision two-dimensional obstacle detection, can be used with navigation lasers, and have an effective perception range, but can only detect obstacles on a single plane. Due to its relatively low cost, it is the preferred choice for many indoor applications.

3D obstacle avoidance laser: Compared with 2D lasers, although the cost is higher, its three-dimensional perception ability has a stronger advantage in complex environments, providing a more comprehensive three-dimensional environmental perception, and can also be used with navigation lasers, suitable for various indoor and outdoor scenarios.

3D obstacle avoidance camera: Can be used with the vehicle recognition camera, integrated with the SEER Robotics AI adaptive algorithm, can achieve precise recognition of objects in 3D space. Although the field of view is limited and the cost is higher, its high precision and AI deep learning ability can provide stronger business support for forklift operations.

Distance sensor: Compact in size, can accurately detect the distance of obstacles at the fork tip of the forklift, but there is a large blind area, usually the detection range is 0.15-0.8m; in the same space, the light from other sensors will form a strong interference, and it is also necessary to avoid outdoor strong light environments, mainly used for areas such as the fork tip where obstacle avoidance lasers and cameras cannot effectively cover.

Ultrasonic sensor: Can detect transparent objects such as glass and transparent film, but there is a situation of easy mistriggering, and it may be interfered with in a multi-vehicle environment, mainly suitable for scenes with glass doors or transparent obstacles.

Proximity/photoelectric switch: Has stronger stability, can respond quickly after collision, but can only detect obstacles after actual contact, mainly used for the fork tip collision detection area.

Crash guard: A mechanical obstacle detection device, with the characteristics of fast response and high stability, also can only detect obstacles after collision, and is relatively fragile and easy to damage, mainly used for the front bottom range of the forklift.

At present, SEER Robotics has achieved full linkage of the mobile robot industry chain, successfully completed adaptation with more than 90% of the mainstream sensor and driver component manufacturers on the market, and continues to add to the adaptation list. The above obstacle avoidance kits have been fully covered in the SEER Robotics component library, committed to providing customers with comprehensive vehicle manufacturing support.