M2X: An Interface for Communication between Mobile Robots and Peripherals

The increasing use of mobile robots in warehousing logistics and production environments is driving demand for standardized communication interfaces that can be implemented quickly and easily. There are various ongoing standardization projects regarding communication interfaces that have not yet been documented. Current interfaces are not able to provide easy applicable communication messages between mobile robots and peripherals without implementation effort. The effectiveness of successful standardization is the VDA 5050 interface, which has harmonized communication between mobile robots and fleet management systems. In this paper, we provide an overview of current communication interfaces and introduce the Machine to X (M2X) communication interface, which enables any given mobile robot to communicate with their peripherals. Peripherals include load handling stations, doors, elevator, signaling devices and a transport order interface initiated from upper layer systems as a warehouse management system. The application of the M2X interface includes a library for the integration of proprietary messages as well as their translation into M2X messages. We demonstrate the time-efficient implementation of a load handling station with M2X in a mobile robot system, as part of our proof-of-concept. M2X is an important step towards the standardized, open and flexible integration of mobile robots into their industrial environment.