Roboteq introduces enhanced sensor for guiding robotic vehicles

Jan. 9, 2018 – Roboteq has introduced a new magnetic guide sensor which it says is capable of detecting and reporting the position of a magnetic field along its horizontal axis.

The sensor is intended for line following robotic applications, using adhesive magnetic tape to form a track guide on the floor. Measuring 165 x 35 x 35 mm, the MGSW1600 is built into a watertight, all-metal enclosure. It uses an eight-pin waterproof M12-type connector for its power supply and IO signals. The sensor uses advanced signal processing to measure its lateral distance from the centre of the track, with millimetre resolution, resulting in nearly 160 points end to end, says Roboteq. Tape position information can be output in numerical format on the sensor’s RS232, CANbus or USB ports. The position is also reported as a 0 to 3 V analogue voltage output and as a variable PWM output. Additionally, the sensor supports a dedicated MultiPWM mode to communicate with all Roboteq motor controllers using only one wire. The sensor is primarily used to steer Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs), moving material on factory floors.