Development of a flexible AGV for flexible manufacturing systems

Purpose - The paper aims to describe the design and development of an automated guided vehicle (AGV) that incorporates artificial intelligence techniques to increase its autonomy and flexibility. The aim is developing a flexible AGV that operates as a flexible material handling system (MHS) in dynamic industrial environments. Design/methodology/approach - Introduces the entire on-board control system including hardware and software designs. The sensory system consists of a laser navigation system for localisation and a security laser scanner for sensing the environment. The software architecture is instantiated in a CPU that is connected to low level controllers through a CAN bus. Simplicity, flexibility, robustness and safety were concerned in the design process. Findings - The developed prototype is able to operate in partially structured and dynamic environments, is easily configured using an approximated description of the workplace and is able to adapt when slight floor layout modifications. This development shows that current technology permits introducing intelligent vehicles in complex manufacturing systems. Practical implications - The prototype is successfully tested in a real factory, operating as a flexible MHS, transporting pallets between production and storage lines. Originality/value - A novel flexible AGV is designed and developed to operate as a flexible MHS in dynamic industrial environments. The system satisfies the safety and robustness requirements of industrial applications. The flexible MHS results especially suitable for manufacturing systems that suffers from cyclic and seasonal variations and for flexible manufacturing systems where the possibility of choosing alternative routes is a must.