Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)

A Computer-Controlled, Non-manned, Electric

Powered Vehicle Capable of Handling Material An automated guided vehicle or automatic guided vehicle (AGV) is a mobile robot that follows markers or wires in the floor, or uses vision or lasers. They are most often used in industrial applications to move materials around a manufacturing facility or a warehouse

Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual agent, usually an

electro-mechanical machine that is guided by a computer program or electronic circuitry. Robots can be autonomous or semi-autonomous and range from humanoids to industrial robots, collectively programmed 'swarm' robots, and even microscopic nano robots. By mimicking a lifelike appearance or automating movements, a robot may convey a sense of intelligence or thought of its own.

Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)

AGV is a material handling system that uses independently operated, self-propelled vehicles guided along defined pathways.

AGV COMPONENTS
MECHANICAL
Chassis & Steering

ELECTRICAL
Motor Power

ELECTRONICS
Control Unit

COMPUTER PROGRAM
Path Planning

BLOCK DIAGRAM
SIGNAL CENTRAL COMPUTER PROGRAM INSTRUCTION BRIDGE RADIO TRANSMITTER

RECEIVER

MICRO CONTROLLER

MOTOR DRIVER

MOTOR

AGV system

Types of AGVS
Driverless trains: It consists of a towing vehicle that pulls one or more trailers to form a train.

AGV pallet trucks: Pallet trucks are used to move

palletized loads along predetermined routes.

Unit load carriers: These are used to move unit

loads from one station to another.

AGV Pallet Truck

Driverless train

Types of navigation in AGVS

Wire Embedded in floor Optical Tracks contrasting color Inertial Gyro with magnets in floor Laser Triangulation from reflective targets

MICROCONTROLLER
Atmega 16 microcontroller is used.
Medium cost High speed grades 0 - 16 MHz

High-performance
operating voltage 4.5V to 5.5V UART(Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) Crystal oscillation speed:16 Mhz

MOTOR DRIVER
Controls motor using Logical signal from the

microcontroller
Controls motor speed using Pulse width modulation Electronically commands the motor to go forward,

reverse, brake, and coast.

MOTOR
Actuator that converts electrical signal to rotational

motion Contrary to usual belief it is an open loop control, A new technology of Back Emf interference is used to approximate a closed loop

Movement mechanism
The robot consider to be in origin

It can move through the lines with the box enclosed by the lines assumed to be machines. By using geometry path can be calculated by the central computer which is sent wirelessly to the AGV. The microcontroller receives the path from the computer after the following considerations
The path is not currently in use by other AGV The path does not cross the lines being used by other

AGV. The path is under maintenance

Safety
Most industrial-use AGVs travel at a speed between 100

and 300 feet per minute.

Common AGV Applications

Raw Material Handling
Work-in-Process Movement Pallet Handling Finished Product Handling

Advantages
Reduces the labor cost.
Flexible. Intelligent. Time consuming. Can significantly reduce production & warehouse

costs. Transforming the materials handling industry.