“Intelligent AGVs maneuver about a facility using open-path navigation, a technique that uses features in the working environment as a frame of reference, ensuring that any pathway to a desired destination is available for use,” says Pierre Pinet, product manager at RMT Robotics Ltd. They are not confined to specific travel paths that have to be taught or programmed into the vehicle. They incorporate cutting-edge navigation technologies that, unlike traditional AGVs, allow true vehicle autonomy without any external guidepath networks or navigational markers, such as wires, mirrors or magnetic tape, to assist in their movement around a facility. If one drive unit is unable to perform a task, another drive unit will pick up the mission to ensure the timely completion of the mission.”Ī new technology that’s starting to emerge is intelligent AGV systems (i-AGVs). “In addition, Kiva’s robotic drive units work as a team. “The Kiva system is fully adaptive and can be assigned multiple tasks that can be prioritized and reprioritized,” claims Gallinagh. “For example, traditional AGVs perform one task at a time and do not take on new missions until the assigned task has been completed. “The Kiva Mobile Fulfillment System is unique in that it implements a bottleneck-free, parallel processing workflow, whereas traditional AGVs operate serially within an operation,” Gallinagh points out. However, it’s developing new features specifically for use on assembly lines and other plant floor environments. The company recently unveiled a driverless system for warehouse and distribution center applications. “AGVs now have the ability to ‘learn’ their environment and adapt to changes within their environment,” says John Gallinagh, product manager for hardware products at Kiva Systems Inc. The industry is moving toward vehicles equipped with much more sophisticated navigation skills, speed and precision. While today’s AGVs have the ability to adapt somewhat to changing conditions, manufacturers are looking for machines that are even more flexible and more autonomous. service and support is much faster and affordable.” “ robots use inexpensive modularized components that are easily field-swappable by local service technicians. “The robots feature walk-through-then-work technology, which means they can be ‘taught’ by people taking them for a walk, instructing the robot along a desired path, adding behaviors, such as sounding horns and waiting at stop stations, and doing this training in a very short period of time,” Cronin points out. That allows the AGV to make 15 stops during the first shift, but only five stops during the second shift. For instance, Freightliner engineers can easily change the parts distribution route from shift to shift. As a result, it can react much more quickly to changing needs or real-time activities on the plant floor. The Seegrid robot literally see its environment and learns from it. The autonomous technology allows the device to be more versatile than traditional forms of driverless vehicles. A Seegrid GT3 tugger is currently used to deliver fasteners to the assembly line at a Freightliner truck plant in Gastonia, NC.
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