What are AGVs and how can they benefit your operation?

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are revolutionising how materials are handled in warehouses, manufacturing facilities and distribution centres. These driverless vehicles operate autonomously, transporting goods and materials precisely and efficiently. As the demand for warehouse automation grows, the adoption of automated guided vehicles is booming due to their ability to streamline operations and reduce downtime &#; alongside many other benefits.

In this article, we explore what automated guided vehicles are, their applications and how they can benefit your operation. If you are considering warehouse automation, understanding the role of AGVs is crucial to making an informed decision.

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An overview of automated guided vehicles

The material flow through a warehouse or manufacturing facility may seem complex, but it is easily standardised and programmable. 

AGVs are physical assets that perform repetitive tasks such as material put-away and replenishment, allowing workers to focus on more unique and value-added activities. Essentially, AGVs help separate repetitive workflows from unique ones. 

AGVs play a vital role in eliminating wasteful processes within operations. Integrating AGVs into your warehouse automation strategy allows you to develop a more efficient workflow that adapts to your specific needs. The key focus of an automated material handling system is to create a smoother, quicker process &#; and automated guided vehicles are instrumental in achieving this goal.

AGVs and warehouse automation can be part of a step-by-step process that can fit bespoke needs. A key focus of an automated forklift system with material handling is to make the entire process smoother and quicker, entering an environment of exceptional efficiency. Utilising AGVs is the best way of capturing this.

How do automated guided vehicles work?

Automated guided vehicles are driverless vehicles with onboard software that guides their movement, helping them move along predefined paths and avoid obstacles, ensuring safety. There are many ways AGVs navigate through a site, but the two most efficient are reflector navigation and natural navigation:

• Reflector navigation:

  In this navigation method, reflectors are installed on-site and scanned by each automated guided vehicle. This allows it to define its position based on the distance to the reflectors. This navigation method has been noted for its high accuracy and robustness.

• Natural navigation: Using natural navigation, an automated guided truck will use reference points, such as walls, racking and fixed objects, to calculate location. This is a common navigation method for warehouses or distribution centres where the internal setup and landmarks remain constant.

In addition to navigation, AGVs are equipped with safety scanners, obstacle detection units, load sensors and vision cameras to prevent collisions and ensure safe operation.

Applications for automated guided vehicles

Automated guided vehicles take over tasks traditionally performed by human operators and manual equipment, such as forklifts and conveyor systems. By handling and transporting large volumes of materials, AGVs enhance efficiency and accuracy in several key areas:

AGVs can be used for:

• Put-away.
• Replenishment.
• Point-to-point transfer.
• Empty pallet handling.
• Finished goods to outbound.

And they add value to:

• Block stacking.
• High-level storage.
• Light item handling.
• High-density storage.

Automated guided vehicles handle raw materials and can be used for partially completed goods and finished products. They can move work-in-progress materials from one workstation to another or different parts of a manufacturing facility, maintaining the flow of materials and products.

In contrast, a processing line that runs out of materials can stall or delay a manufacturing process. The AGV, alongside centralised automation software, will keep track of material movement, ensuring a consistent supply is always available.

AGVs will also transport inventory from long-term storage to forward-picking locations, making order-picking far more efficient for employees. This also means shipping and deliveries will be much more accurate.

The business case for automation

At first glance, automated guided vehicles will consistently guarantee increases in efficiency and productivity, providing optimised warehouse automation. They are programmable, predictable, reliable and save time. Human workers oversee tasks and are provided with the correct goods and materials precisely when needed.

Similarly, as they are automated, they are far less fallible than human workers. Reducing human error is a crucial way of improving efficiency and accuracy on the warehouse floor, minimising loss and downtime, alongside capturing improved resource utilisation.

Other warehouse automation benefits AGVs generate include:

Improved safety for workers and visitors

For more Automated Guided Vehicles Definitioninformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Top-of-the-line AGVs include various safety features designed to keep trucks moving throughout a warehouse without impacting worker safety.

Reduced cost of errors

Downtime, shipping errors and safety risks can all be costly. AGV robots eliminate these costs by creating a consistent, visible and accurate working environment.

Agility and flexibility

While describing a warehouse as a flexible working environment may feel inaccurate due to the rigid workflows necessary for production, AGVs offer flexibility on-site. 

With simple programming, various trucks on the market and complete scalability within the solution, onboarding AGVs makes efficient warehouse automation possible.

Types of automated guided vehicles available

A wide variety of automated guided vehicles are available on the market today. For example, warehouses can utilise:

Automated warehouse trucks

Automated warehouse trucks are designed to automate repetitive pallet handling. They provide:

• Pallet transport.
• Block stacking.
• Mixed pallet handling.
• High-level storage.

These types of trucks also allow for manual operation.

Automated tow trains

Tow trains provide automated fork-free pallet and item handling. They are the perfect choice for just-in-time delivery.

Automated pallet carrier

Automated pallet carriers are suitable for automated transport at your production site or logistics centre. They can pick up and transport pallets from point A to B, where an automated stacker will store them in the racking, for example.

Automated shuttles

Automated shuttles provide high-density, deep storage solutions with an 80% space utilisation rate. They guarantee increased throughput and are ideal for cold store operations.

Are automated guided vehicles right for your warehouse?

Automated guided vehicles provide significant efficiency and productivity gains in a warehouse environment. However, they may not be the right choice for every operation. To determine if warehouse automation with AGVs suits your needs, we have a blueprint to help guide your decision-making process.