How Do Automated Guided Vehicles Work?

Automated Guided Vehicle is a kind of intelligent handling equipment that realises unmanned transport through pre-set routes or automatic navigation systems, which is widely used in logistics, manufacturing, warehousing and other fields. The working principle of Automated Guided Vehicle is task generation, path planning, real-time obstacle avoidance, completing target handling, standby charging and so on. So below we will have a detailed understanding of how do automated guided vehicles work?

How does an automated guided vehicle work?

The working principle of Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV) is to obtain its current position through the guiding sensors, and combine it with the target information in the preset path to calculate the specific control instructions, so as to determine the AGV’s driving speed and steering angle, and realize the precise control of the vehicle’s movement. Its core lies in trajectory tracking control, i.e., by constantly monitoring the position deviation between the reference point and the virtual point on the path, it adjusts the rotational speed of the driving wheel in real time, so that the reference point is aligned with the virtual point as much as possible, thus enabling the AGV to move stably along the guide line.

1.automated navigation system

AGV through a variety of guidance technology to determine their own position and environmental conditions, common navigation methods are:

Magnetic navigation: travelling along the pre-embedded magnetic stripes or spikes on the ground, and detecting the path through magnetic sensors.

Laser navigation: scanning the environment using LiDAR and determining the environmental position through calculation.

Visual navigation: using cameras to identify ground and environmental features to determine the position.

Inertial navigation: determining the position by applying integral motion trajectory projection through gyroscopes and accelerometers.

SLAM: Simulate the construction of the environment and determine the position in real time through laser/vision with SLAM technology in a dynamic environment.

We through the above guidance system, preset AGV path planning, began to implement the handling, in the handling of AGV how to avoid obstacles in real time?

2. Real-time obstacle avoidance

AGV equipped with sensors and safety systems for detecting obstacles and safe operation or local route adjustment.

Common safety systems are:

LIDAR and ultrasonic sensors: these sensors can detect obstacles in the path and, when triggered, can slow or stop the vehicle to avoid collision.

Bumpers: Physical bumpers may trigger an emergency stop if the AGV comes into contact with an object or person.

Emergency Stop Button: A manual stop button allows personnel to immediately stop the AGV movement.

Through the real-time obstacle avoidance function we can safely or adjust the route to make our handling safe and easy to transport to the designated location to complete the handling.

Above we understand the automated guided vehicle working principle, then we also come to understand its drive system and interactive work collaboration

3. Drive system

AGV is usually powered by batteries and powered by an electric motor. The motor drives the wheels, which follow a pre-set track or an automated navigation system. Battery management is also crucial and a charging system is in place that allows charging via manual battery change, automatic charging stations or inductive charging paths. The drive wheels, depending on the environment in which the AGV is used, are either omni-directional, explosion-proof or single rudder wheels. Smooth and safe handling and precise stopping according to the scene.

4.Interactive work

Agv can work with robotic arm, roller, lifting platform and other institutions to complete complex handling, loading and unloading (such as forklift AGV, pallet handling AGV) work.

After understanding the automated guided vehicle work, then we also need to focus on understanding how are AGVs powered?

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How are AGVs powered?

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are commonly powered by three types of power supply: battery power, non-contact inductive power, and wired power. Battery power is the most common type of power supply, while non-contact inductive power and wired power are suitable for different working conditions.

The following is a detailed introduction of AGV power supply methods:

1. Battery powered

Use batteries as a power supply, such as rechargeable lead-acid, nickel-cadmium or lithium-ion batteries. Battery-powered AGVs are more flexible and can move freely without fixed lines or charging stations. Batteries are easy to replace or recharge, but have a limited range. Widely used in occasions where frequent movement and route changes are required.

2. Non-contact induction power supply

AGV obtains power from charging boards or charging piles through the principle of electromagnetic induction, with no wire connection and higher safety. Its charging speed is fast and it can realize charging while driving. However, the charging plate or charging pile needs to be installed in a fixed position, which has certain limitations on the running route of AGV, and the cost is higher than other power supply methods. It is suitable for occasions with high requirements for efficiency and safety, such as production lines that require frequent starting and stopping.

3. Wired power supply

AGVs are connected to the power supply through cables or rails, obtaining power directly from the external power supply without any limitation of battery capacity. Compared with non-contact power supply, the cost is lower. However, it needs to run on fixed lines or rails, with limited running space and relatively poor flexibility. Suitable for occasions with high requirements for power supply stability and cost, such as handling tasks on fixed lines.

Conclusion

Through the above narration, we know the working principle of the automated guided vehicle, understand how to use the AGV efficiently and how to supply power to the AGV? s way. We are automated guided vehicles manufacturer, we have rich experience in handling, if you want to know more about automated guided vehicle system please contact us now, you will get more handling solutions.