ROS 2-Based LiDAR Perception Framework for Mobile Robots in Dynamic Production Environments, Utilizing Synthetic Data Generation, Transformation-Equivariant 3D Detection and Multi-Object Tracking

Adaptive robots in dynamic production environments require robust perception capabilities, including 6D pose estimation and multi-object tracking. To address limitations in real-world data dependency, noise robustness, and spatiotemporal consistency, a LiDAR framework based on the Robot Operating System integrating a synthetic-data-trained Transformation-Equivariant 3D Detection with multi-object-tracking leveraging center poses is proposed. Validated across 72 scenarios with motion capture technology, overall results yield an Intersection over Union of 62.6% for standalone pose estimation, rising to 83.12% with multi-object-tracking integration. Our LiDAR-based framework achieves 91.12% of Higher Order Tracking Accuracy, advancing robustness and versatility of LiDAR-based perception systems for industrial mobile manipulators.

Designing an LLM-Based Copilot for Manufacturing Equipment Selection

Effective decision-making in automation equipment selection is critical for reducing ramp-up time and maintaining production quality, especially in the face of increasing product variation and market demands. However, limited expertise and resource constraints often result in inefficiencies during the ramp-up phase when new products are integrated into production lines. Existing methods often lack structured and tailored solutions to support automation engineers in reducing ramp-up time, leading to compromises in quality. This research investigates whether large-language models (LLMs), combined with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), can assist in streamlining equipment selection in ramp-up planning. We propose a factual-driven copilot integrating LLMs with structured and semi-structured knowledge retrieval for three component types (robots, feeders and vision systems), providing a guided and traceable state-machine process for decision-making in automation equipment selection. The system was demonstrated to an industrial partner, who tested it on three internal use-cases. Their feedback affirmed its capability to provide logical and actionable recommendations for automation equipment. More specifically, among 22 equipment prompts analyzed, 19 involved selecting the correct equipment while considering most requirements, and in 6 cases, all requirements were fully met.