Guideline™: Robotic Convoy
ASI’s GuideLine™: Unmanned Leader-Follower System is designed for robust use, easy operation, and cost-effective implementation across a number of industries and applications.
The Guideline™ system works by attaching a tether cord from the follower vehicle to any lead vehicle. No modifications are required to the lead vehicle whatsoever. The follower vehicle is driven by an installed vehicle automation system taking data from the Guideline™ sensor mounted on the front of the vehicle.
The GuideLine™ sensor delivers angle and length data and generates a planned “path” for the follower vehicle based on the path taken by the lead vehicle. There are no complicated sensors to tune or maintain. The system works in all light and weather conditions. It does not depend on RF or GPS data. The system works equally well in reverse, responding the same way that a long trailer would respond.
The simple elegance of the solution means less complex equipment to maintain, simplified operator training, and the potential for significant manpower reductions for safety or cost reasons.
Capabilities
- System connection and start-up
- Maneuvering in cluttered terrain
- High speed maneuvering
- Cornering
- Emergency stopping
- Reversing
- System disconnect and shutdown
- Day/night and all-weather operations
- Not dependent on GPS or RF communications
- Operational at highway convoy speeds (50 mph)
- Operational on-road, off-road and in wet/icy conditions
- Capable of safe emergency braking
- Following distances are up to 100 meters (adjusts with speed)
- In reverse gear, system behaves like a standard trailer