Sarcos has designed a robotic PV building answer that delivers, detects, lifts, and locations PV modules in massive photo voltaic crops. The prototype answer was lately examined and validated in a pilot venture funded by the US Division of Power.
Industrial robotic programs producer Sarcos has developed an answer to automate and streamline the development of enormous photo voltaic crops.
The US-based firm lately achieved the ultimate validation of its prototype answer within the Out of doors Autonomous Manipulation of Photovoltaic Panels (O-AMPP) venture, funded by the US Division of Power Photo voltaic Power Applied sciences Workplace. It didn’t disclose the precise location of the pilot set up.
“The photo voltaic building trade is going through an unprecedented labor scarcity whereas concurrently going through elevated demand for photo voltaic power,” stated Trent Mostaert, vp of industrialization on the building engineering firm. Mortenson, a companion within the O-AMPP venture. “We imagine the O-AMPP system can deal with these challenges whereas bettering the protection, productiveness, and effectivity of our workforce. It can additionally allow photo voltaic venture builders to scale output and manufacturing on the stage wanted to satisfy the Power Division’s 2030 and 2050 renewable power targets.
The proof-of-concept robotic system consists of an autonomous working car (AWV) that includes Sarcos’ Guardian XM robotic arm and an autonomous supply car (ADV). The answer makes use of cameras to find out the place PV panels needs to be put in. The robotic arm then autonomously lifts the panel utilizing a vacuum system and locations it within the approximate location the place it must be clamped to the mounting construction. “The arm then goes right into a particular mode the place the individual clamping the panel can simply transfer that panel nonetheless they should, to align it and connect it to the panels,” Sarcos defined to a video on its web site.
The corporate didn’t share particulars on whether or not the vacuum system’s lifting mechanism will deliver mechanical stress to the PV modules. It says the advantages of the robotic answer embody decrease venture prices, elevated projection, improved timelines and building high quality, and a safer office that reduces the chance of lifting and fatigue-related accidents.
The O-AMPP venture began in 2021 and Sarcos expects to commercialize its answer in 2024. “Reaching this market validation and area check milestone is a important mission step on our strategy to commercialize our robotic photo voltaic building answer and, in the end, enhance security and productiveness within the photo voltaic area building trade,” stated Kiva Allgood, CEO of Sarcos.
Array Applied sciences supplied the tracker system used within the pilot venture. Different trade companions embody tools producer JLG Industries, auto firm Pratt Miller, and Mortenson.
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