POMCCART

POMCCART stands for Portable Open Modular Cargo Cart. It is a portable, open-source platform for autonomous modular cargo transport designed for research, education, and light commercial use. The project emphasizes a modular approach to payload handling and a standard interface for sensors and actuators, enabling rapid configuration for different tasks. In this context, POMCCART refers to a concept and reference design used in academic and hobbyist settings.

Design and components: The cart features a lightweight chassis, a set of plug-in payload modules (such as cooling, containment, tool kits, or gripping mechanisms), a modular docking system for quick reconfiguration, and onboard compute capable of running common robotics middleware. A sensor suite typically includes lidars or depth cameras, an inertial measurement unit, encoders, and situational awareness hardware. The drive system is electric, with options for wheels or track configurations, and a swappable battery subsystem. Standard interfaces include CAN, USB-C, and Ethernet to connect sensors, actuators, and control software.

Autonomy and control: POMCCART supports both autonomous and semi-autonomous operation. Navigation relies on simultaneous localization and mapping, obstacle avoidance, and route planning. It is designed to integrate with widely used robotics middleware, enabling steering, motion control, and task management. Cooperative operation among multiple units is also supported, enabling simple swarm behaviors for tasks like distributed picking or convoy movement.

Applications and status: Typical uses include warehousing, campus logistics, event support, and light last-mile delivery trials. The design emphasizes safety, modularity, and ease of assembly for rapid experimentation. See also autonomous mobile robots, modular robotics, and last-mile delivery robotics.