In the mobile robotics industry, in recent years, the use of vision navigation applications with cameras as sensors has been gradually increasing. Compared to other navigation technologies, visual positioning and navigation technology can fully utilize rich feature information in indoor environments, achieving better environmental robustness and stability.

The application of new technologies is inseparable from the promotion of related enterprises. As one of the few mobile robot companies with a complete product matrix covering vision sensors, vision systems, robot systems, and industry solutions, Lanxin Technology has been exploring how visual technology and mobile robots can better integrate and apply.

Recently, a reporter from the New Strategic Mobile Robotics Media interviewed Dr. Gao Yong, CEO of Lanxin Technology, to discuss issues such as the integration of visual technology with robots, industry development trends, etc.

From Security to Industrial Robots

In Dr. Gao's memory, he came to Hangzhou from Beijing in 2009. Initially, he introduced computer vision (CV) technology into the field of security. At that time, surveillance videos were monitored one by one by people, which was not only inefficient but also prone to missing details. In Hangzhou, known as the "capital of security," this route quickly took root like a fresh seed in fertile soil.

"Many companies approached us, thinking that visual technology could solve many problems. However, at that time, visual technology could not adapt well to customer needs. Among these companies were not lacking mobile robot companies, which gave us a good opportunity because, regardless of the form of robots or the number of iterations, they will inevitably encounter the challenges of 'environment perception' and 'self-positioning.'" Dr. Gao reminisced.

Dr. Gao stated, "When Lanxin Technology was founded, we thought that if robots were to completely replace humans and serve humans in the future, then their visual capabilities must approach or surpass human eyes. Now it seems that the direction is correct."

At the same time, Dr. Gao pointed out that the concept of "vision" may differ slightly from the public's impression. Influenced by Tesla, when people talk about visual technology, they first associate it with 2D cameras. However, in the eyes of CV professionals, visual technology "naturally includes depth information."

If the granularity of perception is compared to resolution, mobile robots are like a display gradually iterating from low resolution to high resolution. The degree of perception of mobile robots is like this, starting from a weak signal, gradually transitioning, iterating, growing, and with the growth of perception, mobile robots obtain a lot of dense information, gradually forming the concept of intelligence.

Dr. Gao introduced that as mobile robot applications continue to deepen, higher requirements will be placed on their perception capabilities to enable robots to see the world, understand the world, and have a clearer view of the world. There are still customers who cannot find satisfactory solutions, which is largely related to perception capabilities. "The industry needs new technologies, and solutions need iteration."

Dr. Gao believes that this is not just a business but a reflection of values, the industry position of the Chinese robotics industry, and even the improvement of international status. Dr. Gao predicts, "In the future, visual perception systems will definitely move towards more dense information and fusion from various angles. It is not ruled out that in the future, robots can perceive wavelengths that humans cannot perceive, because only when the amount of information is increased can intelligence, flexibility, analysis, safety, and stability be discussed. When the amount and types of sensor information increase, to some extent, the difficulty of the problem can be reduced. The perception system is definitely a process from front to back. There must be enough information capture first, then talk about information processing. We have gained deep experience from our past project experience. From this perspective, the granularity of perception will only continue to refine, and in the future, it may even include information that is invisible to the naked eye."

Two Business Lines Layout, Crossing from "Internal Logistics" to "Big Logistics"

As mobile robot applications deepen, Lanxin is also constantly expanding the boundaries of scene applications. Dr. Gao introduced that currently, Lanxin's products are mainly divided into two categories: whole-machine products and vision products. Whole-machine products include intelligent handling robots, unmanned forklifts, SMT loading and unloading robots, printing machine loading and unloading robots, coating machine loading and unloading robots, etc. Vision products include structured light 3D vision sensors, TOF 3D vision sensors, intelligent loading systems, etc.

For quite some time, Lanxin's visual module was not external, following the route of relying on visual + algorithms as the core technology of AGV whole machines. However, gradually many mobile robot companies found Lanxin, with a certain demand for its visual modules. According to Dr. Gao, this year, Lanxin plans to independently support and empower some mobile robot companies with the visual product part, hoping that such technological output can help more mobile robot companies establish themselves in the industry and promote the healthy and stable development of the domestic mobile robot market.

In addition to empowering mobile robots with a series of visual modules, in May of this year, Lanxin officially released the "Intelligent Loading System."

Dr. Gao introduced, "The chemical industry has an astonishing annual shipment volume, especially before spring plowing. Although most chemical enterprises have achieved automation in the production process, the phenomenon of manual loading and unloading of trucks is still very common in the shipment process. When the peak season comes, we often see long queues of trucks waiting at the gates of chemical factories. Manual loading is not only inefficient but also prone to counting inaccuracies and problems such as insufficient labor and the risk of work-related injuries. The heavy physical labor is not something the younger generation is willing to take on, and the average age of loading workers is over 50. After they retire, the company will have no available workers. Therefore, automated loading is an inevitable trend, and it is only a matter of time before companies undertake such projects."

Lanxin's "Intelligent Loading System" is mainly composed of 3D vision sensors, robotic arms, mobile robots, and a business control system. It connects various operation processes, achieving unmanned autonomous transport of loading units, intelligent recognition of vehicles, automatic calculation and planning of storage locations, automatic stacking of goods, and other complex operations.

The launch of the "Intelligent Loading System" verifies the hardcore performance of Lanxin's LX-MRDVS in breaking through scenes and market potential. At the same time, it also signifies that Lanxin's logistics solution has crossed from the era of "internal logistics" to the era of "big logistics." Dr. Gao also stated, "For Lanxin, we will focus on market development without setting boundaries."

Driving Visual Technology to a Higher Stage

Lanxin Technology's full-stack, full-chain technical capabilities and product matrix have attracted considerable attention from capital. In March of this year, Lanxin Technology announced the completion of nearly 100 million yuan in Series B+ financing. This round of financing will further accelerate Lanxin's product technology iteration, market development, and team expansion.

Although the company is currently in a high-speed development stage, Dr. Gao pointed out that there are still various challenges. This year, many ontology companies are returning to the business essence, and Lanxin Technology will closely focus on industries such as 3C, new energy (photovoltaics, lithium

 batteries), railway chemical, and packaging printing, using the advantages of visual systems to create products and "thoroughly penetrate" the industry.

Dr. Gao pointed out that currently, a robot's perception of the external world is similar to that of a blind person, but it will definitely not stop here. Not only will information acquisition capabilities continue to improve, but the intelligence level, including individual and collective intelligence, will also continue to improve. "True 3D visual navigation robot technology is still in the first stage of market popularization, but we believe it will definitely become the mainstream technology in the future." To win the future, one must face the future and provide the market with products that have trendiness and foresight. In the next days, Lanxin Technology will continue to focus on the four major target markets, using its core technology LX-MRDVS to empower products and solutions, and continue to deepen its presence.