In this post, we will see the concept of the automated guided vehicles.
Automated guided vehicles come under the group of robotics and artificial intelligence. Automated guided vehicle drives itself in a predefined path without the need of a driver or any operator.
It is a combination of smart software programming and sensor-guided interfaces, which enables it to move automatically.
Since a normal vehicle has a driver to drive it, these vehicles have precise acceleration and deceleration parameters defined inside it; which provides the same control that a driver would do.
Automated Guided Vehicle
These types of vehicles are used on a large scale in the manufacturing industry, which helps in the transportation of goods and reduces the use of manpower with accurate movements.
AGV’s are powered by batteries. Various guidance technologies like magnetic tapes/bars, lasers, optical sensors, etc. help in navigating it properly.
So, you can correlate this with a normal driver. If he sees an obstacle, he will automatically guide the vehicle away from it. In the same way, these devices are programmed to move in a predefined path.
The sensors will monitor its movement. Whenever it senses an obstacle, it will trigger an internal program to move the vehicle away from it.
Or simply, forget the obstacle. If that vehicle is driving in a U-turn-shaped road; after moving straight, when it senses the turn by reading its path, the vehicle will automatically turn itself along with the road and move in correspondence with it.
AGV’s are typically connected in a wireless manner to a remote operation center to monitor its movement continuously. This real-time location tracing helps them to properly design the route of the vehicle in its program accordingly.
Also, due to remote control access, driving instructions for starting, stopping, changing gear, changing the path, etc. becomes easier.
AGV’s are of great use in the automation sector. Due to the absence of humans, the high efficiency of driving with less number of errors is achieved.
Also, replacing humans with a vehicle will reduce the cost to the company, as it is a one-time investment.
Due to the use of a large number of guidance sensors in it, the safety of the transport is assured in a great way and thus, the materials in it are carried safely to its destination.
Also, AGV’s can operate in areas where human presence is not possible, citing examples like a hazardous environment.
If a task changes, you just have to reprogram the vehicle or make necessary changes in its design. Though it will take great human efforts to design it, once developed, it can run without any interference and function smoothly.
Typically, AGV’s are used in sectors like food and beverage, chemicals, automotive, manufacturing, paper industry, plastics, warehousing, pharmaceuticals, etc.
You also to properly design the path for the movement of AGV’s. Because, as defined earlier, they move on predefined paths. Any wrong design in the path can cause mishaps or damage to the environment.
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