Mobile Robot Glossary
From SLAM to Mecanum wheels: 20 high-frequency terms for chassis procurement and development, in plain one-line definitions with selection tips - no encyclopedia padding.
Navigation & Localization
SLAM: Localization & MappingSLAMLets a robot build a map of an unknown environment while figuring out where it is.
3D Multi-line LiDAR SLAM Navigation3D LiDAR SLAMOne multi-line LiDAR handles mapping, localization, 3D obstacle avoidance and anti-drop at once.
LiDAR LinesLiDAR LinesWhat 16/32/64/128 lines are good for: more lines mean denser vertical coverage - and a higher price.
LiDAR vs Pure VisionLiDAR vs VisionLiDAR measures distance directly at centimeter level in any light;pure vision infers depth and needs GPU. Why indoor robots converge on LiDAR for accuracy,…
Sensor FusionSensor FusionSensor fusion aligns and combines LiDAR, camera, IMU and ultrasonic data in time and space; watch extrinsic calibration, time sync and failover — and avoid the
Occupancy Grid MapOccupancy GridAn occupancy grid discretizes the environment into cells marked obstacle/free/unknown;it is the output of LiDAR SLAM and the basis for navigation and…
Repeatability (Docking Accuracy)RepeatabilityHow precisely a robot returns to the same point (e.g. a charging dock) - key for docking tasks.
Path PlanningPath PlanningPath planning computes a collision-free route from A to B on an existing map: global A*/Dijkstra, local DWA/TEB dodge dynamic obstacles in real time.
Navigation StackNavigation StackA navigation stack packages localization, planning and control into a framework (ROS move_base, Nav2); Tbot exposes ROS — change the model, keep the framework.
Chassis Structure
Differential DriveDifferential DriveSteering by the speed difference between left and right wheels: simple, cheap, high-payload, the most common chassis structure.
Omni WheelOmni WheelSmall rim rollers let the robot strafe, move diagonally and spin in place without turning around.
Mecanum WheelMecanum WheelOmni-directional variant with 45 angled rollers; four wheels cooperate for full omnidirectional motion and heavier payloads.
Ackermann SteeringAckermann SteeringCar-style front-wheel steering: stable at speed, energy-efficient, ideal for outdoor long-distance patrol and transport.
Payload CapacityPayload CapacityThe weight the chassis can safely carry - the #1 spec; watch rated vs peak values.
Obstacle Climbing HeightObstacle ClimbingThe highest threshold, speed bump or floor cable the robot can cross - decides where it can work.
Minimum Aisle WidthMinimum Aisle WidthThe narrowest passage the robot traverses smoothly - design your rack spacing around it.
Development & Deployment
AGV vs AMRAGV vs AMRFixed-route AGVs on magnetic strips vs autonomous AMRs that sense and plan on their own: the difference is finding the way by itself.
rosbridge WebSocketrosbridgeLets browsers and apps send/receive ROS messages over WebSocket - control the robot without a ROS install.
URDFURDFUnified Robot Description Format: XML describing joints, links, mass and shape - the standard entry point for simulation.
Auto DockingAuto DockingAuto-docking: when battery drops below threshold the robot returns to its dock and uses secondary localization to align electrodes within 10mm — the…
ODM Selection Parameters
Battery TypeBattery ChemistryLFP / NMC / LMFP / semi-solid — trade-offs in energy density, cycle life and safety.
IP RatingIP RatingIP54 splash-proof, IP65 water-jet-proof, IP66/IP67 for outdoor pressure washing and rain.
RTK / GNSSRTK GNSSCentimeter-level satellite positioning outdoors; essential for campuses, parking lots and open-air inspection, paired with 3D LiDAR for indoor/outdoor handover.
IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit)IMUAccelerometer + gyroscope for short-term pose estimation; a lifesaver when LiDAR loses lock (glass corridors, long straight aisles).
Depth / RGB CameraDepth CameraNear-field semantic perception, pedestrian detection and pallet localization; complements 3D LiDAR, not a replacement.
mmWave RadarmmWave RadarStrong interference rejection in rain, fog and dust; suited to outdoor and garage-vent scenarios, but pricier than ultrasonic.
Ultrasonic SensorUltrasonicShort-range blind-spot cover for glass, soft bags and small objects; low cost but range limited (<3m) and prone to floor reflections.
UWB (Ultra-Wideband)UWBIndoor anchor-based positioning, 10~30cm accuracy; ideal for parking lots and large warehouses with multi-robot dispatch.
E-Stop / Bumper / Cliff SensorE-Stop / Bumper / CliffSafety redundancy: physical e-stop button, bumper strip and cliff sensor; 3D LiDAR can drop cliff detection, but the bumper strip is still recommended.
LiDAR MountingLiDAR MountingUpright (top facing forward), inverted (top looking down for voids/steps), tilted (sees road and wall at once) — affects obstacle-avoidance blind spots.
Climbing / Slope / AisleClimbing / Slope / Aisle15° slope climbing, 2cm obstacle crossing, 56cm minimum aisle are Tbot's baseline across the line; special sites need separate evaluation.
ODM / NRE CostODM & NRENRE one-time engineering fee (mechanical/hardware/software development), amortized into volume; MOQ typically 10~50 units.
Translate these terms into your scenario when selecting: payload, aisle width, whether you need omni motion, and docking repeatability - then cross-check parameters in the full spec table or use the selector guide.
More Resources
Need a Complete Robot Solution?
One-stop customization of design, structure, hardware, software and platform — from prototype to mass production.