Connection of intelligent control for virtual commissioning

Quick Check

Initial situation

The "ISG-virtuos" software offers a simulation platform for the entire life cycle of an automation solution, from sales and digital engineering through to the operating phase.

"ISG-virtuos" is developing into a customer-driven simulation platform at a higher plant level, while intralogistics, AGVs and autonomous systems are increasingly gaining in demand. "ISG-virtuos" makes it possible to quickly and easily integrate virtual plant models and control systems into a process. To date, however, no external or cloud-based controllers such as autonomous AGVs or intelligent robot controllers are available.

Solution idea

The aim of the project is to integrate ROS-based control systems into the "ISG-virtuos" simulation tool for system simulation.

This provides users with easy access to intelligent components and autonomous systems in their (virtual) factory processes. Cloud services and complex AI controls can thus be incorporated during the development processes and virtual commissioning and tested in the overall context of the virtual factory.

KI-Fortschrittszentrum_203_QC_Anbindung-Steuerung_Abb1 — Figure 1: Intelligent robot controllers control and regulate virtual robots in the "ISG-virtuos" simulation platform. Lorenz Halt, Fraunhofer IPA

Benefit

This project lays the foundation for integrating cloud-based robot and system components into a virtual factory environment. The de facto standard ROS is used here to offer new technologies the smoothest possible entry. This provides plant manufacturers with innovative, autonomous and intelligent control, plant and robotics systems right from the early development phase. Any reservations can be overcome in the virtual environment with little effort and without risk. Furthermore, a virtual marketplace for AI-based production equipment is opened up and other providers are given easy access.

Implementation of the AI application

First, a software connection was established between the "ISG-virtuos" simulation software and the "Robot Operating System ROS". A C++ plugin was written for this purpose, which accesses the function library of "ROS on Windows 10 (Win-RoS)". The plugin is integrated directly as an ISG virtuos component and registers itself in the ROS ecosystem when called. For demonstration purposes, the IPA technology for free navigation of an AGV and the "pitasc" technology for force-sensitive control of a robot arm were connected to the simulation via the plugin.