Pioneer LX User's Guide, Rev. A
Page 7 of 125
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction
This manual covers the setup, operation, and user maintenance of your Adept MobileRobots
Pioneer LX mobile robot.
1.1 Product Description
The Adept MobileRobots Pioneer LX is a general-purpose, indoor mobile robot platform,
designed and sized to carry loads up to 60 kg (132 lb)while working around people. With the
included ARNLsoftware, it is self-guided and self-charging, with an automated charging sta-
tion. The platform's size and drive assembly are designed to work in any wheelchair-acces-
sible environment.
The Pioneer LXincludes a complete robot control system and embedded computer (PC), dif-
ferential drive system with encoder feedback, as well as a laser rangefinder sensor, ultrasonic
(sonar)sensors, and a bumper panel.
ARNLsoftware provides the capability to know where the robot is located within an indoor
workspace (localization), and to navigate safely and autonomously to any accessible des-
tination within that workspace (navigation), continuously and without human intervention.
A complete C++SDKis provided to develop software using the Pioneer LX.
The Pioneer LXprovides a variety of interfaces and power connections to support your appli-
cation-specific sensors and accessories. Refer to Connectivity on page 61, for information on
the available connectors..
For some projects, you may want to customize the Pioneer LX with a payload, attached to the
top of the platform, such as sensors, manipulators, extra structure. Refer to Payloads on page
53 for general information on designing a payload.
MTXGeneration and Pioneer Compatibility
The Pioneer LXis the first in a new generation of robots from Adept MobileRobots, the
MTXtype robots.
In most ways, the Pioneer LXremains compatible with Pioneer 3 and other Adept Mobil-
eRobots platforms:it uses a compatible protocol for essential communication with software,
and the Pioneer SDKincluding ARIAC++APIremains compatible with all MobileRobots plat-
forms, including Pioneer LX. (Support for the Pioneer LXwas added in ARIA2.8.0 and
ARNL1.8.0.)
The Pioneer LX does differ from previous Pioneer robots in a few ways, however, including:
lThe robot controller uses a new firmware implementation, MARCOS
lSome components are connected directly to the embedded computer, rather than man-
aged via the robot controller (sonar, display, battery information). However, ARIA's
ArRobotConnector class will automatically connect to these components by default, and
continue to provide data via the ArRobot class, so all software using ARIA and ArRo-
botConnector will continue to work with the LX.
