AGV Industry Information

An automatic guided vehicle (AGV), also known as a self guided vehicle or self propelled vehicle, is an unmanned, computer-controlled mobile transport unit that is powered by a battery or an electric motor. AGV manufacturers program AGVs to drive to specific points and perform designated functions. They are becoming increasingly popular worldwide in applications that call for repetitive actions over a distance or for transporting extremely heavy loads. Common applications include load transferring, pallet loading and unloading and tugging or towing, and autonomous guided vehicles are commonly used as automatic guided military vehicles and armored vehicles in defense industries. Many industrial manufacturing facilities use automated guided vehicles to transport multi-ton equipment or materials such as aircraft engines or large metal coils, across the plant floor.  Different models, which include forked AGV, tuggers, towing vehicles and transfer cars, have wide ranging load capacities and design characteristics, such as material handling robot components. They come in varying sizes and shapes, according to their specific uses, load requirements and industry.
 
AGV systems are often onboard microprocessors and usually have a supervisory control system that helps with various tasks, such as tracking and tracing modules and generating and/or distributing transport orders. They are able to navigate a guide path network that is flexible and easy to program. Various navigation methods used on guided vehicles include laser, camera, optical, inertial and wire guided systems. The laser guided vehicle has advanced navigation capabilities and is able to navigate around objects along a programmed path and avoid collisions independently using laser beam sensors. AGVs manufacturers program AGVs for many different and useful maneuvers, such as spinning and side-traveling, which allow for more effective production. Some are designed for the use of an operator, but most are capable of operating independently.
 
Corporations that use automatic guided carts and vehicles, often factories, warehouses, hospitals and other large facilities, benefit from AGVs` power, stability and remote operating capabilities. Using automated guided vehicles within facilities often results in reduced labor costs. AGVs can do hard physical work without wear or exhaustion, eliminating human labor which would otherwise be costly and potentially hazardous. Loads that AGVs carry are far heavier than any single human could manage, which makes transporting heavy objects quick and simple. AGVs help give companies a competitive edge because they increase productivity and time efficiency. They are flexible and can be adapted to many different needs. Using AGVs may reduces damage to products while creating a more ergonomic work environment.
 
Purchasing AGVs often involves making large initial monetary investments, as most automated guided vehicles are manufactured with a number of costly materials and guidance systems, although companies and manufacturers which use AGVs often see a quick return on investment through increased production, time and labor efficiency. As AGV use becomes more popular, AGV manufacturers are finding ways to lower costs and are designing smaller, more affordable models for smaller load transfer applications. Research on these vehicles is on-going, and new developments on software and movement techniques are frequently being made.