MiR unveils new software for its AMRs

Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) release new software for its autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The company said the software allows the AMRs to perform missions faster, integrate easier with other systems and have enhanced cybersecurity. 

MiR made the first phase of the software available today for individual robots and entire fleets. It allows MiR’s AMRs to more quickly plan and re-plan navigation on the fly inside large facilities efficiently. MiR said the software also enables the AMRs to more efficiently switch between different floors or production halls. 

“We want to empower companies to get started with automation in a simple way,” Søren E. Nielsen, the president of MiR, said. “It takes less than an hour to set up simple tasks for a robot via our new interface. For more complex tasks that might require advanced features and settings, the UI still enables employees to easily and efficiently operate the robots. When combined with the added efficiency of the robots, users quickly realize a low total cost of ownership of our AMRs.”

MiR’s software has an updated user-interface (UI) to enhance ease of use, it said. The new UI comes with different user levels, and can be set up on a desktop computer, smartphone or tablet. Employees are able to access dashboards or summon robots with a single click. 

Security improvements in the platform were made according to the IEC 62443 cybersecurity standard for industrial automation systems. The improvements include software code signing, extended robot authentication and an update of the robot operating system. 

“Our experiences with hundreds of customers over the years has made it clear not only that software is key to automation, but also which new features provide the greatest overall experience,” Nielsen said. “This new software stack lays a powerful foundation for optimizing the use of our AMRs now and into the future as we adapt to dynamic environments and technology advancements. From enabling operators to more quickly and smoothly plan out the robots’ missions or ensuring even greater levels of cybersecurity and integration across a facility’s myriad systems, we will continue to enhance our robots’ performance to keep facilities productive and business executives happy.”