SICK Automation has launched another global innovation: the first safety laser scanner certified to IEC 62998 for use in outdoor applications. The outdoorScan3 allows automated guided vehicle systems to navigate through outdoor industrial environments. With its innovative outdoor safeHDDM® scanning technology, outdoorScan3 works safely and reliably whatever the weather, closing the gap in the automation of industrial processes.

Safety laser scanners enable humans and machines to work together safely in industrial environments by reliably protecting stationary and mobile applications. With the outdoorScan3, certified safety sensor technology can be reliably used outside of production halls for the first time. This opens up huge potential for automating and increasing the efficiency of intralogistics production processes – and brings the vision of a self-managed value chain in the spirit of Industry 4.0 one step closer to reality.  

Unique functionality in all weather conditions

The outdoorScan3 is characterised by an exceptional ruggedness when subjected to sunlight, rain, snow, and fog. Outdoor safeHDDM® scanning technology means the laser scanner can work without errors when exposed to sunlight with an illumination intensity of up to 40 000 lux. The intelligent software algorithm of the outdoorScan3 detects rain and snow, easily filtering out these environmental influences – rain, for example, up to a precipitation intensity of 10 mm/h. Even in fog with a meteorological visual range of up to 50 m, the range at which aircraft are grounded, the outdoorScan3 detects all obstacles with total reliability.

Automated processes outdoors

Automated guided vehicle systems facilitate a flexible and productive material flow and will be a key technology in the automation concepts of the future. But currently these systems can only be used in a working environment that is shared by humans and machines. With the outdoorScan3, automated guided vehicle systems will be able to perform tasks outdoors with no physical partitions whatsoever and without having to significantly lower their speed.

Versatile range of applications

Performance tested under real world conditions, the outdoorScan3 is already used on passenger boarding bridges as well as for protecting and navigating automated guided vehicle systems. A safety laser scanner with a broad range of applications, the outdoorScan3 is available worldwide.

Logisticians, engineers and safety officers have one wish: the conquest of industrial outdoor areas. Intralogistic processes across all boundaries pave the way to the smart factory of the future. Stepping outside for man and machine is now becoming a reality. We think that's smart.