AGILOX develops End-to-End Digital Twin for AMRs

The detailed end-to-end digital twin is based on NVIDIA Omniverse simulation platform and includes AGILOX’s fully integrated software stack. This provides a solution that will enable users to emulate and test application scenarios in a virtual representation of reality. This approach reduces costs and risks in the planning and implementation of AMR projects, while digital twins offer high reliability and flexibility for automation applications in the future.

A New Dimension in Robotic Simulation: The Power of Digital Twins

AGILOX’ innovation in robotic simulation starts with its use of detailed digital twins for each AMR model. Through this approach, every function and feature of a robot can be virtually tested, simulated, and optimized long before it operates in the physical world. The creation of these digital twins begins with CAD modeling software where AMR models are designed. These 3D models are then converted into the Universal Scene Description (USD) format, and made compatible with the NVIDIA Omniverse platform.

Omniverse’s USD framework provides a shared 3D environment to enhance the visual fidelity of these models, making them appear more realistic while keeping them static initially. Then, AGILOX applies a series of plug-ins, such as sensor behavior, to add further realism and interactivity. These modules simulate essential components of AMRs, such as cameras, LiDAR, and other sensor functionalities. Once these sensors are integrated, the digital twin becomes dynamic, closely emulating the behaviors expected in a real-world scenario.

Through the NVIDIA Isaac Sim, AGILOX can simulate the digital twin in a virtual environment that mirrors actual warehouse or production workflows. Different parameters can be tested, allowing the digital twin to assess how the robot responds to various stimuli. This process ensures a high level of accuracy in detecting potential issues and optimizing the robot’s capabilities.

From Static Models to a Dynamic Simulation Environment

AGILOX’ digital twin journey doesn’t stop with a visually realistic model; the true breakthrough lies in achieving a fully functional, dynamic digital twin. This transition is made possible by connecting the static model to an emulator – a custom-built, in-house development that integrates AGILOX’ proprietary robotics software stack directly into the digital twin. By emulating the behaviors of the entire system, including AGILOX’ AMR-specific mapping, navigation, safety protocols, and localization, AGILOX allows for a seamless transition from virtual to physical application.

Unlike conventional testing methods that might focus on individual components in isolation, AGILOX’ approach simulates every critical aspect of the AMR. This includes collision avoidance, object recognition, and sensor-based navigation. By integrating all software components into the simulation process, AGILOX ensures that the robots are ready for deployment, thereby minimizing the likelihood of unexpected issues after implementation.

The Core Innovations Behind AGILOX’ Approach

AGILOX’ approach stands out due to two core innovations that set it apart from other robotics companies:

1. Digital Twin Precision: By employing detailed digital twins for each AMR model, AGILOX can conduct exhaustive virtual testing, identifying any potential issues and optimizing performance without needing a single physical prototype in the future. This will reduce development costs and accelerate timelines, as costly and time-consuming physical FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) will no longer be necessary.
2. Comprehensive Software Stack Integration: AGILOX integrates its entire software stack into the digital twin, encompassing key functionalities like mapping, localization, navigation, safety, and collision avoidance. This holistic approach enables a high degree of realism in simulations, ensuring that the AMRs behave as they would in actual environments and allowing for the testing and refinement of the robots’ full functionality in one go.

By combining these innovations, AGILOX has created a development ecosystem that is faster, more reliable, and ultimately more cost-effective than traditional robotic development processes, helping customers implement solutions even faster in the future.

“Reaching this end-to-end digital twin milestone is a transformative achievement for AGILOX and a major step forward for the robotics industry. By enabling our customers to design, test, and perfect automation workflows in a highly realistic virtual environment, we will be significantly reducing deployment times and operational risks. Integrating our complete robotics software stack—from mapping to workflow handling—directly into these digital twins will ensure unparalleled accuracy, so our autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) perform exactly as expected in real-world scenarios. This technology will give our customers a faster, safer, and far more cost-effective pathway to deploying automation that meets the highest standards of reliability and performance in the future.”

– David Niedermaier, CTO, Co-founder and Managing Director of AGILOX

What This Means for AGILOX’ Customers

For AGILOX’ clients, which range across industries including logistics, material handling, and warehouse automation, this pioneering approach offers numerous advantages:

• Enhanced Workflow Design: AGILOX’ digital twins will enable clients to virtually design workflows, test different scenarios, and evaluate requirements such as the optimal number of AMRs in a swarm configuration in the future. This entire process can be done remotely, eliminating the need for on-site visits and reducing travel costs.
• Informed Decision-Making: Clients will be able to evaluate critical processes in a virtual environment, identifying potential issues and making necessary adjustments before any physical implementation. This will help prevent costly disruptions and ensures that the workflow will operate smoothly from day one.
• Time and Cost Savings: With AGILOX’ digital twins, customers will be able to conduct FAT and similar critical testing within the simulation environment rather than at the physical site, speeding up approval timelines and cutting down on both transportation and setup costs.
• Improved AMR Performance: Through comprehensive testing in a simulated environment that replicates real-world conditions, AGILOX can deliver AMRs that are fully optimized and ready for deployment. This will reduce the need for on-site adjustments and enables AMRs to begin operating at full capacity immediately upon deployment.

The Full Digital Twin Experience

AGILOX’ end-to-end digital twin will provide customers with an interactive, realistic virtual experience of their robots operating within a simulated environment that mirrors real-world conditions. This means that clients can observe, test, and modify workflows or new developments in a 3D virtual environment, without the constraints of physical space and resources in the future. AGILOX’ AMRs can be tested for tasks, swarm configurations, and critical performance elements all within the digital realm, ensuring a flawless transition from the virtual to the physical world.

Future Implications and Industry Impact

AGILOX’ approach is not just a technological advancement; it’s a fundamental shift in how robotics are developed and deployed. By establishing a new standard of end-to-end digital twins that integrate a full robotics software stack, AGILOX has reduced the barriers to efficient and effective automation. As the demand for automation grows, AGILOX’ model of simulation-emulation will likely become an industry benchmark, pushing the boundaries of what robotics can achieve and setting the pace for innovation across sectors.

In embracing NVIDIA’s Omniverse and pioneering a full-system digital twin for AMRs, AGILOX is leading the way in autonomous robotics, empowering customers to optimize operations, reduce costs, and increase flexibility. AGILOX’ digital twins mark a transformative step in the industry, offering a new level of accuracy, reliability, and efficiency that enhances real-world applications for businesses worldwide.