임베디드 및 에지 컴퓨팅 기술 분야 선도 기업 콩가텍 코리아가 전력 효율이 뛰어난 12세대 인텔 코어 IOTG(Internet of Things Group) 모바일 프로세서(엘더레이크)를 적용한 7종의 최신 COM-HPC 신제품을 출시한다.

고성능 중심의 코어(P코어)와 효율 중심의 저전력 코어(E코어)를 혼합한 최신 인텔 하이브리드 아키텍처가 적용된 BGA 프로세서의 기준 전력 소비량은 15~28W로, 엔지니어들이 완전 수동식 쿨링으로 작동하는 임베디드 및 에지 컴퓨팅 플랫폼에서 활용할 수 있다. 이는 비용이 높은 냉각 옵션을 줄이고 시스템 설계의 내구성 및 평균무고장주기(MTBF, Mean Time Between Failure)를 높인다.

에너지 소비량은 E코어는 유지하면서 P코어를 줄여 절감했다. 예를 들어 인텔 코어 i7 프로세서 성능 범위에서 이기종 워크로드는 모든 기종에서 8개의 고효율 코어로 작동되며, 6개의 P코어(12800HE/45 W 기준 전력)를 4개의 P코어(1270PE/28 W 기준 전력) 또는 2개의 P코어(1265UE/15 W 기준 전력)로 축소할 수 있다. 또 PCIe 레인을 28개에서 20개로 축소해 전력 소비량을 줄였다.

일부 프로세서는 복잡한 실시간 애플리케이션뿐만 아니라 가상 머신과 인텔 TCC 및 TSN을 사용하는 실시간 애플리케이션에도 적합하기 때문에, 새롭게 출시된 콩가텍 컴퓨터 온 모듈은 AI 및 몰입도 높은 GUI 등의 여러 이기종 워크로드에서 하나의 수동쿨러로 냉각하는 에지 컴퓨팅 플랫폼을 통합하는데 적합하다.

인텔 코어 i7/5/3 및 셀레론 프로세서가 탑재된 최신 고성능 컴퓨터 온 모듈은 수동식 냉각 컴퓨팅 시스템을 사용하면서 더욱 높은 성능을 필요로 하는 분야 어디든 목표로 한다. 스마트 공장 및 프로세스 자동화, AI 기반 품질 검사 및 산업 비전, 자율이동로봇, 창고 및 배송용 자율주행 물류 차량을 위한 여러 가상 머신을 통합하는 에지 컴퓨터 및 IoT 게이트웨이가 대표적이다. 일반적인 실외 애플리케이션에는 자율주행 차량 및 모바일 기기, 운송 및 스마트 시티의 비디오 보안 및 게이트웨이 애플리케이션, AI 기반의 패킷 검사가 필요한 5G 클라우드렛(cloudlet) 및 에지 장치가 포함된다.

각기 다른 코어를 조합한 기종 모두에 DDR5 메모리 지원을 제공하는 PCIe 4세대가 탑재된 최신형 콩가텍 컴퓨터 온 모듈은 인텔 하이브리드 아키텍처를 지원하며 멀티스레드 애플리케이션을 가속할 수 있고 백그라운드 작업을 보다 효율적으로 실행할 수 있게 됐다. 또한 최대 96개의 실행 장치(EU)을 갖춘 통합 인텔 아이리스 Xe GPU는 향상된 그래픽 퍼포먼스를 제공한다.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) as an end-to-end solution out of one hand

Technology company Continental will present for the first time in public its Autonomous Mobile Robots for the external market at the LogiMAT 2022, the international intralogistics tradeshow, from May 31 to June 2 in Stuttgart, Germany (hall 2, booth number EF15). After an internal test phase in Continental production locations worldwide, the AMRs are now ready for the external market entry with improved and new features as well as the handling of new use cases. Building on the company’s years of extensive research in the robotics field, Continental is including these solutions now into its product portfolio in the newly established area of Continental Mobile Robots. “We are pleased to confirm that from now on volume production of the AMRs has started in Continental’s Rheinböllen plant in Germany with the first external customer projects slated to be delivered,” says Pierre Pomper, Head of Autonomous Mobile Robots at Continental. “Continental complements its in-house capabilities with a partner ecosystem of technology leaders Kinexon and ROEQ to provide customers a leading edge AMR solution out of one hand.”

Autonomous Mobile Robots make it easy for the customer – new features and use cases

Since 2020, Continental’s AMRs have been successfully deployed at several own production locations worldwide. The company built its Autonomous Mobile Robots in-house to meet the demands and challenges of the future factory, since such a solution was not readily available in the market. The experience gained has now been incorporated into the AMR version for the external market. Due to the load density, the electric vehicles are as small and compact as possible, but can carry very heavy weights. With measurements of only 1,455 mm length, 630 mm width and 225 mm height, the AMRs can carry significant loads up to 1.2 tons at a speed of up to 2.0 meters per second. Thus, they are versatile, while also being maximally maneuverable. Increased torque, shorter turning radius, optimized sensor coverage, improvements to its lifting mechanism design and accessibility of controls as well as the easy equipment for the transport of carts, pallets and top rollers are additional features.

Kinexon provides software for Fleet Master Control and an optional UWB system

Customers can benefit from a partnership between Continental and Kinexon. The fleet management software of Kinexon which is offered optionally turns an AMR fleet into an intelligent and perfectly coordinated swarm. The creation of orders and routes as well as the management of the AMRs will become much easier and more standardized (e.g., using the VDA5050 protocol). “We developed a reliable and scalable fleet management software in collaboration with Continental, which increases the flexibility and performance of our customers AMR fleets. Additionally, we offer an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) system for connecting relevant things of the material flow such as AMRs. Our holistic fleet management software combines this information in real time to optimize supply chains, material flow and industrial automation even more,” says Dr. Alexander Hüttenbrink, Managing Director at Kinexon.

ROEQ: Strong partner for a unique portfolio of mobile robotic equipment and accessories

Continental is able to offer its AMRs with different top modules. Customers can choose between cart/rack and lifting unit use cases. Due to the close collaboration with ROEQ, a leading expert for robotic equipment, Continental can now also offer top roller modules, for transferring loads between AMRs and conveyors. The number of options offered is what makes Continental’s offering so unique. At LogiMAT, an AMR with top roller module from ROEQ will be shown as a world premiere. “We are excited to team up with a strong partner like Continental,” says Michael E. Hansen, Managing Director at ROEQ “We are on a path of significant growth and I am convinced that our collaboration will provide customers with a wider choice of better and more robust solutions to meet their logistic challenges.”

End-to-End AMR solution for several industries

The AMRs are an attractive shopfloor logistics solution for several industries including logistics and warehousing, automotive, food and beverage as well as electrical and electronics. They work hand-in-hand with humans, reduce manual activities such as driving forklift trucks, speed up transport and provide an accurate overview of shopfloor inventory and its storage location. Continental offers everything from a single source, which is not quite common in the market and a big benefit for the customers: From consulting, sales, integration, service and support to maintenance contracts and a 24-hour support – everything out of one hand.