IDEC SE2L Advanced: the compact safety laser scanner to enhance your AGVs/AMRs
Date: 05/07/2025 | By: IDEC HQ
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Both automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) need sensing capabilities to safely navigate their surroundings. AGVs rely on guidance systems, which are steadily getting more sophisticated. AMRs constantly survey the area around them to learn more about their working environment.
In each case, a safety laser scanner does more than just enhance sensing – it’s a vital element of AGV/AMR safety systems.
A long history of innovations in automation and sensing
AGVs and AMRs have existed in various forms since the 1950s. The introduction of safety scanners to help position and guide them was in the 1970s. Both AGVs/AMRs and safety laser scanners have continued to evolve since then.
Laser scanners aren’t the only safety sensing device – light curtains and safety mats also detect humans in hazardous areas. Even so, scanners are popular for use with AGVs/AMRs because of their small size, wide sensing range, and flexible customization options.
In shared working spaces, maintaining safe operations involves collaboration
Think of a safety laser scanner as the ‘eyes’ of an AGV/AMR.
As ‘automated’ and ‘autonomous’ devices, AGVs and AMRs are made to work independently. However, in environments where humans are also working nearby, an AGV/AMR needs full awareness of its surroundings and the ability to safely navigate shared spaces.
When mounted on an AGV or AMR, a safety laser scanner has 2 key functions:
Presence detection: sensing nearby humans and obstacles
Collision prevention: slowing or stopping the AGV/AMR
The combination of a warning zone and a protection zone around the scanner gives the AGV or AMR more time to slow down, change direction, or come to a stop.
As such, the integration and position of a safety laser scanner on an AGV/AMR are key. Getting it wrong could leave ‘blind spots’ in the sensing area, which are both dangerous and harder/more expensive to cover after the fact.
A new AGV/AMR solution from IDEC: the SE2L Advanced safety laser scanner
The IDEC SE2L Advanced is a compact safety laser scanner with a 270-degree sensing range. A single unit can protect a wide area – the scanner has a 5m protection zone and a 30m warning zone.
It’s also possible to monitor 2 separate areas with the SE2L Advanced’s dual protection function, replacing up to 2 light curtains.
The scanner’s reference monitoring function can detect sensing area boundaries and position changes, such as whether a nearby door is open or closed.
Enhanced capabilities that widen the scope of potential sensing applications
Increased functionality ensures that the SE2L Advanced is a highly suitable safety laser scanner for use with AGVs and AMRs.
Enhanced environmental resistance: reduce false positives in harsh environments (presence detection errors caused by dust, smoke, etc.)
Enhanced Ethernet connectivity: connect to the AGV/AMR’s Ethernet access point to enable Wi-Fi communication with a PC.
A maximum of 128 area pattern configurations: easily adjust the settings to suit the AGV/AMR’s operating environment.
Master/slave function: connect up to 4 SE2L Advanced units (1 master unit and 3 slave units) mounted on the same AGV/AMR to create a 360-degree sensing range.
Additional encoder input: 4 encoder inputs for 2-axis monitoring (left and right, as well as forwards and backwards).
Speed-based sensing area switching: activates while the AGV/AMR the scanner is mounted on is turning.
Hardware improvements: the SE2L Advanced in turn increases the AGV/AMR’s navigating accuracy.
Obstacle detection: the scanner also transmits distance measurement data via the Ethernet port, while maintaining safety protection.
Compatibility with other IDEC safety devices: building a custom AGV or AMR with fully integrated safety features is simpler than ever.
Advances that keep collaborative safety moving in the right direction
The IDEC SE2L Advanced safety laser scanner is designed to contribute to the evolution of wireless AGVs/AMRs. It’s available in global regions now.
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