Design and Fabrication of Collaborative Automated Guided Vehicles

Abstract

Automated guided vehicle (AGV), also known as self-guided vehicle, is an unmanned computer-controlled mobile transport unit driven by a battery or electric motor. The AGV is programmed to drive to a specific point and perform specified functions. They are becoming more and more popular worldwide in applications such as load transfer, pallet handling and towing. According to their specific uses and load requirements, they have different sizes and shapes. The AGV has an onboard microprocessor and a usual supervisory control system that can assist in various tasks, such as tracking and tracing modules and generating and/or allocating transportation orders. The project involves the prototype design for manufacturing and controlling multiple AGV systems. Assuming that the weight handled by the system exceeds the range of a single AGV, the proposed solution is to use multiple AGVs to assist a single heavy object. This work explores multiple analytical aspects, involving coordination between multiple AGVs and their individuals, and theory-based batch processing performance. A practical system controlled by a smartphone and ATMEGa328p (usually called ARDUINO uno) is provided as a prototype. Material handling in manufacturing system is becoming easier because the automated machine technology has improved Material handling in manufacturing system is becoming easier because the automated machine technology has improved One of the material handling methods that has been widely used in most industry nowadays is the Automated Guided Vehicle System or better known as the AGVs .Until today there are many researchers that have shown interests in improving the system in order to achieve more productivity and flexibility in manufacturing environment.