Automated Guided Vehicles' Navigation Technologies: State of the art and applications

This thesis project focuses on Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV) navigation technologies, in particular on laser guidance technology. AGVs are autonomous internal transport systems capable of moving cargo units, such as raw materials, semi-finished or finished goods, without the assistance of a driver. This type of technology has undergone considerable development in the field of navigation, becoming increasingly useful in a number of applications that will be discussed throughout the manuscript. Warehouse operations are critical in the industrial environment, there will be increased competition for flexibility and improved performance through a variety of techniques, including the use of AGVs, as well as optimal coordination and integration of production sequencing and vehicle routing decisions. AGVs navigation technologies can be classified in fixed path technologies and open path ones. In the first AGVs are only allowed to travel along a limited number of predetermined paths within the factory, such as when using an inductive guidance system. To avoid obstacles on the factory floor, AGVs can instead use an open path, which can be provided by tools like such as laser navigation systems. Enhancing flexibility and reducing labour costs, thanks to AGVs, are crucial and frequently used strategies to improve operations in many warehouses and manufacturing facilities. It is crucial to comprehend understand the fundamentals of various navigation technologies, their features, benefits, and drawbacks, as well as how they are applied, developed, and chosen for AGVs, in order to overcome the challenges that managers will face in the future when deciding what kind of navigation technology to use and how it might fit with the specifics of their industry. The various navigation technologies are influenced by the factors present in the industrial environment and differ from each other according to their technical level. Consequently, installing an AGV system that fits the environment is difficult because it is not always clear what distinguishes one type of AGV navigation technology from another. In order to investigate this field, the manuscript explores the impact of various AGV navigation technologies on system performance, environmental considerations, and decision-making processes when choosing navigation technology. The problem statement highlights the complexity of choosing an appropriate navigation technology for AGVs and presents several research questions to guide the investigation. The research methodology includes qualitative and quantitative analyses, i.e. a interviews with industry experts and a real-world case study of Swedish companies employing AGVs. and an application study based on a simulation analysis using Flexsim® software to compare fixed-path and open-path AGV systems using laser guidance, providing a cost-benefit analysis. In conclusion, this research aims to illuminate the complex world of AGV navigation technologies, with a specific focus on laser guidance. By addressing the research questions, it aims to provide valuable insights into the selection, implementation, and performance of AGV navigation technologies, providing decision makers with the knowledge needed to address the complex landscape of intralogistics and manufacturing.