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What is an
Autonomous System

Autonomous Systems are machines or systems capable of sensing, reasoning, planning and controlling its actions in complex uncertain situations and environments with no or limited operator assistance.


They may even be able to improve their performance over time, learning from experience.


The early start of autonomous systems was within aerospace and defense, but autonomous systems technology is now being applied within a broad range of industries, including e.g. marine, robotics, manufacturing, machinery, medtech, off-shore, energy, transportation, food and automotive industries.

Autonomous solutions may assist with

Performing operations in hazardous or tedious environments e.g., clean rooms, cold stores, underwater operations, confined spaces.

Managing and operating processes and operations with no or limited operator involvement e.g., during night shifts, operations with minimal number of operators.

Avoiding risky or dangerous situations, safety and guidance assistance, e.g. automatic collision avoidance and identifying complex risk scenarios.

Optimizing planning and controlling routes and trajectories of motions and mobile units in changing, complex and uncertain environments with multiple factors and uncertainties to comprehend, e.g. navigation of ships and trucks, and operation of robots in non-controllable environments.

Reducing energy consumption and consumption of materials, through optimized control of complex processes and operations, e.g. mixing of materials, and compensating for changing qualities of raw materials.

Supporting less experienced or overloaded operators in monitoring and operating machinery and systems, where experienced operators performs far better than operators with less competences, e.g. seasonal tasks, limited access to capable operators, complex machinery and changing qualities of raw materials.

Evaluating input from various sources and sensors and high-lighting areas of interest for operators, e.g. signal processing, sensor fusion, and soft sensors

Reacting faster than human beings in time-critical situations, e.g. control of hazardous processes, defense, collision avoidance

Advising operators on optimal maintenance decisions, e.g. predictive maintenance

Identifying abnormal patterns of motions and operations, e.g. security applications and safety application

Learning optimal or best-practice operations and settings of systems parameters from capturing insights, patterns and analyzing large volumes of data, e.g. optimal use of tools and materials

Automating operations and processes not feasible for traditional automation solutions, because judgement is needed in uncertain, fuzzy, and complex environments

Projects that make a difference

IPU’s present and past portfolio of technology development projects within autonomous systems for industrial clients ranges from large-scale implementation projects to early-stage explorative and creative projects. Most of them are confidential, however some high-level details are shared here.

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Click and explore our projects

Operating in complex environment

For a client supplying special purpose vehicles for highly regulated and safety oriented environments, IPU is leading the transformation of one of their products into an autonomous mobile robot. The truck-based mobile unit will be able to navigate and perform complicated tasks with limited need for skilled operator support. Key drivers for this project is clients challenges in recruiting skilled operators, the need for improving regularity of services, and adding an extra layer of safety to the operations.

Retrofitting for autonomous operations

For at client operating a fleet of mining-scale heavy duty vehicles, IPU is implementing an automation solution to an existing machine. This includes hardware retrofitting and adding sensors to get machine and process feedback, as well as knowledge of position and the surroundings. The machine will be able to plan and execute its operations, and a parallel safety system is ensuring safety of crew, machine and support vehicles.

Handling natural vegetation

IPU was partner in a research project, aiming at identifying opportunities for robots and drones in performing agricultural activities in real field environments. IPU explored the use of computer vision and LiDARs for guiding autonomous self-driving units in the field and controlling a robotic arm.

Detecting anomalies

For a leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals, IPU explored the opportunities of applying AI and computer vision in detecting anomalies in high-speed packaging lines operations, focusing at assisting operators in performing faster and more reliable line clearance activities.

Unveiling what the human eye cannot see

For a client within surveillance and defense industry, IPU supported the client in exploring the opportunities of AI and advanced algorithms for signal processing, aiming at enabling operators real-time identifying objects of interest in front of and around them.

Reducing maintenance costs

For the world’s leading container liner, Maersk Line, IPU has developed a comprehensive predictive maintenance solution. The solution intelligently monitors every single refrigerated container globally, identifying e.g., abnormal behavior of cooling systems and calls for maintenance.

Optimizing process, challenged by variations in raw materials

IPU supported a globally leading manufacturer of separating units for e.g. food industry, in developing a strategic development roadmap for transforming their products step-by-step into autonomous separators for applications with significant raw material variations, and where skilled and experienced operators outperform inexperienced operators significantly. Key drivers for the strategic transformation, are the ambitions of improving yield, reducing energy and operating costs, and supporting unmanned operations.

Description Avoiding collisions

For a client manufacturing ground service equipment for airports, IPU is engaged in developing an automatic collision avoidance system operating in a complex uncertain environment, with no room for mistakes and even very gentle collisions.

How IPU work with clients

Our four-step
Autonomous Solution Implementation Approach

1

Explore

What are the autonomous systems opportunities within my company? Is it timely and relevant for me to get started on the autonomous systems journey? These are some the questions we elaborate in dialogue with our clients in the very early stages of the autonomous systems journey. Typically in a joint 2-3 hours workshop with your leads within for example R&D, product marketing, and production development, IPU share our inspirations, learnings, ideas, do’s & don’ts, and best practice approaches. Take-away: Qualified ideas for your business in getting started with implementing autonomous solutions or focus elsewhere

Book a free Explore call with the IPU Team

2

Solution architecture and development environment development

Many clients face the challenge of creating a clear and concrete conceptualization of their future autonomous solution. They also struggle with preparing an operational development plan. IPU has developed a work-shop based time- and resource-effective approach for developing an executable Autonomous Solutions Development Roadmap that captures the visions, translates voice of customers to product features, outlines the system design, identifies development tasks, and delivers an autonomous solutions development roadmap, with a step-by-step implementation plan.

3

Autonomous Solutions
Road Mapping

It is important developing a solid and flexible foundation for future development, including interfaces with existing control systems. Equally important is setting up an efficient development environment supporting development, and software and hardware in the loop testing.

4

Develop & Launch cycles

IPU believes in delivering autonomous solutions step by step, launching new autonomous solution features regularly, and thereby creating funding for next steps in development, and aligning with changing market expectations.

Welcome to IPU

Book Explore call
with our Team

We lead the

Autonomous Systems Projects

Søren Merit

CEO, Technology Driven Business Innovation

M.Sc., B.Com

Jack M. Pimbert

Senior engineer, autonomous systems and Robotics

M.Sc.