Rethinking Safety Scanners: Why Legacy Systems Fall Short

April 14, 2024

In the world of automation and robotics, safety is non-negotiable. Industries increasingly rely on automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to streamline operations, and those robots almost universally require multiple scanners rated for functional safety (per ISO 13849 or IEC 61508) to ensure they don’t collide with and harm people or equipment. However, relying on legacy safety scanners may be setting your operation up for failure. Let’s explore why these outdated solutions fall short and how Voyant’s LiDAR systems can set you up for success.

Lack of Robustness

Legacy scanners based on spinning mirrors are notorious for their lack of robustness. They struggle to withstand the harsh realities of industrial environments, where shock, vibration, and impact are unavoidable. These scanners are so fragile that they often require additional protection, such as being housed under a “no step” plate, to prevent damage. Forklift tine impacts pose a significant threat, frequently resulting in scanner malfunctions or failures.

There’s no way around impact in an industrial environment. AMRs and forklifts fundamentally operate by coming into contact with the objects they carry. Sensor placement on the corners of robots, where they are most susceptible to damage, only compounds the issue. At thousands of dollars each plus equipment downtime, replacing the sensors is hardly an acceptable solution.

Size Matters

In addition to their lack of resilience, legacy scanners suffer from size limitations. Their bulky designs not only hinder the movement and functionality of robots but also make integration into existing systems a challenge. Enter Voyant Tungsten – a groundbreaking solution that redefines the landscape of safety scanners.

Voyant Tungsten: The Future of Safety Scanners

Our scanner’s compact size sets it apart from traditional scanners. Leveraging our industry-leading LiDAR integrated circuit technology, Voyant Tungsten has no moving parts, resulting in a dramatically smaller form factor and eliminating the most common point of failure plaguing the current generation of scanners. This innovation not only enhances the scanner’s robustness but also opens up new possibilities for integration and deployment. The scanner measures just 4 inches (100 mm) in diameter and 1 inch (25 mm) tall, a fraction of the size of today’s scanners. It can withstand a full 100 G of shock, and a full metal enclosure protects it from anything your application can throw at it.

By leveraging advanced LiDAR tech, Voyant delivers top-notch performance without sacrificing reliability. Our drop-in replacements for your current scanners will upgrade your AMR’s robustness and leave space for the capabilities that set your robot apart.