Hard and Soft Benefits of AGVs
Common Misconceptions about AGVs
Autonomous Vehicles in the Warehouse
Mobile Automation Group (MAG) members are the Industry’s leading suppliers of automatic guided vehicle systems. They supply systems worldwide and in virtually every major manufacturing and distribution sector.
Both Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are computer-controlled wheel-based load carriers (normally battery powered) that run on a plant or warehouse floor (or, if outdoors, on a paved surface). The main difference between AGVs and AMRs is how the path they follow is determined.
- Most AGVs follow predefined paths, although there may be areas of the plant or warehouse where they have more freedom.
- AMRs can determine their own path, although they will attempt to follow suggested paths if they exist.
This difference leads to differing methodologies for ensuring safe operation for the two types of vehicle.
- AVGs follow the ANSI B56.5 Safety Guidelines
- There is a standard under development for AMRs
Mission: To promote the market awareness, growth, and effective use of driverless industrial vehicle systems (e.g. AGVS, AMRs, and AGCs)
Vision: To be the trusted, independent authority on driverless industrial vehicle systems
The MAG group is a collaboration of trusted industry leaders that provide:
- Market Intelligence
- Market Awareness and Clarity
- Leadership
- Safety Advocacy
- Market Access
By
- Coordinating Statistical Programs
- Delivering Promotional Marketing
- Providing Education
- Influencing Industry Standards
- Overcoming Barriers to Adoption
MAG member companies meet regularly to review, discuss and revise the standards for design, performance and safe operation of automatic guided vehicle systems. MAG members are committed to the development, maintenance and publishing of industry standard specifications for these systems.
MAG programs include:
- The development of educational and training materials;
- A voice in the development and maintenance of national standards;
- The confidential exchange of market statistics and publication of industry data to the public;
- The communication of the benefits of AGVS solutions via trade shows, educational forums, and other national and regional seminars.
| AGVS of MHI presents: Is Using Cloud-based Automation Right for your Autonomous Vehicle Systems Today, cloud-enabled devices and machines are combined with operational enhancements to create what we call smart warehouses. Within these smart warehouses, cloud-based automation and robotics is becoming a viable option to help boost efficiency and productivity. We will review the many important factors to consider when deciding whether cloud-enabled systems can work for your operation. |
| AGVS of MHI presents: Applications Segmented by Subdivisions In this seminar you will gain an understanding of how you might utilize AGV technology by looking at examples of existing users. Users will be categorized by market segments and the AGV applications will be discussed in detail, to include vehicle types, guidance types, as well as charging and battery management. |
| Navigating the Mobile Automation Landscape A proliferation of automated mobile vehicle types is occurring and transforming the industry. This session will define the similarities and differences to mobile automation terms like AGVs and AMRs, describe the best use-case practices, and provide the context for making sound ROI calculations in mobile automation. |
| Leasing AGV for the WIN - How to save Capital and gain ROI through innovative new financial structures AGVs and AGCs can be an expensive upfront proposition. All too often significant investments of time and effort provide no ROI when the proposal reaches the Board – and hits a brick wall - for capital funding approval. No more! In this session learn how to cut through red tape and drive financial efficiency! We will present how leasing can be an efficient way implement AGV/AGC systems, how to strengthen your ROI calculations, what moving from CapEx to OpEx really means, case studies and how leasing can even provide operating ROI measured in months not years. |
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ANSI/ITSDF B56.5-2012, Safety Standard for Driverless, Automatic Guided Industrial Vehicles and Automated Functions of Manned Industrial Vehicles This Standard defines the safety requirements relating to the elements of design, operation, and maintenance of powered, not mechanically restrained, unmanned automatic guided industrial vehicles and the system of which the vehicles are a part. It also applies to vehicles originally designed to operate exclusively in a manned mode but which are subsequently modified to operate in an unmanned, automatic mode, or in a semiautomatic, manual, or maintenance mode. |
Bailey Butler, North Carolina State University
The Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. has awarded the $2,000 Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems Honor Scholarship to Bailey Butler at North Carolina State University. Bailey is a rising senior majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering. She is currently working as an engineering intern at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety focusing on energy efficiency projects and at LORD Corporation as a Global Trade Compliance Student Associate. After graduation she plans to become a licensed professional engineer and join the workforce. She would also like to complete a masters degree in business to round out her background so one day she can be in a leadership position.
Leadership
Chair
Carlos Millan
Oceaneering
Vice Chair
Mark Longacre
JBT Corporation
