Brief description
Autonomous transport in manufacturing refers to the use of robotic vehicles to transport raw materials, components and finished products without human intervention. The two main technologies are AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) and AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot), which differ in navigation method and route flexibility.
Introduction into Technologies
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AGV: Automated Guided Vehicle
AGVs follow fixed routes using laid guides (e.g. magnetic tapes, wires embedded in the floor, or optical markers). Effective for repetitive routes between fixed points (e.g. from a warehouse to an assembly line).
AMR: Autonomous Mobile Robot
It can freely orient itself in space without pre-set paths, using LiDARs, cameras, and embedded intelligence to build a map. It bypasses obstacles and dynamically selects the optimal route to deliver components ‘just in time’ to the required stations.
Benefits for the customer
Continuous operation 24/7
Autonomous transport robots move materials around the clock without interruption, ensuring a continuous flow and reducing production cycle time.
Cost reduction
Manual operator labour is reduced, and due to high navigation accuracy, damage to products and equipment during transport is minimised. Consequently, enterprises save on personnel and defect-related costs.
Increased safety
The automation of internal transportation minimises the risk of injuries and accidents associated with human error and enables safe work in hazardous zones (e.g. transporting hot or toxic materials).
The implementation of autonomous transport in manufacturing (AGV/AMR)
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Role of the team
The team of experts analyses logistics flows in production and selects the optimal solution for specific tasks, such as an AGV system with a fixed route network or flexible AMRs for dynamic environments. Specialists design navigation; if necessary, they will mark the shop floor with magnetic markers or lines for AGV movement or configure digital maps and obstacle-avoidance algorithms for AMR fleets. They also integrate the autonomous transport system with manufacturing execution and warehouse management software, ensuring that robotic carts deliver components just in time. The team also develops safety rules and trains personnel to interact with the new robots, ensuring the system operates safely and without interruption.
Implementation in practice
- Audit of internal transportation: The current process of moving materials, including routes, volumes and trip frequency, and the facility layout, are analysed to determine the requirements for robotic carriers.
- Technology selection: Based on the audit, a decision is made as to whether to use AGVs with fixed routes or AMRs with dynamic navigation. Specific robot models are selected, taking into account factors such as payload, range and operating conditions.
- Infrastructure preparation: For AGVs, the necessary guides are laid, for example, magnetic tapes are affixed or QR markers are installed on the floor along the routes. For AMRs, a virtual map of the facility is created and the robots are taught to recognise the environment. Landmarks such as reflectors for LiDARs are placed if necessary.
- System integration: Robots are connected to the manufacturing control system. Loading and unloading points, task schedules and route priorities are set. The control system then coordinates the movement of multiple transport units to prevent bottlenecks and collisions.
- Pilot launch and scaling: A test launch is carried out in a limited area, during which the robots perform typical tasks and the engineers collect data to adjust the speed, obstacle-bypass logic and other parameters. Following a successful pilot scheme, autonomous transport is implemented across the entire enterprise, either replacing or complementing human forklift drivers.