The Basics of Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems

Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems are one of the most exciting and dynamic areas in material handling today.

But AGVS is really not so new. Fifty years ago when AGVS was invented it was then called driverless systems. Through the years advances in electronics have led to advances in guided vehicles. Vacuum tub technology gave way to transistorized technology and now today microprocessor technology. Technological developments may have given AGVS more flexibility and capability, but market acceptance has really given AGVS the application variety to allow it to expand into the standard accepted material handling method it is today.

As with any new and relatively unknown commodity that experiences such a growth in popularity, there is a dire need for more information and knowledge about how these systems work, what makes them tick and how to get the most out of them. No doubt if you plan a conveyor system or a tow chain system you probably have many knowledgeable people within your organizations to call upon for advice and assistance in designing those systems. However, when it comes to planning an AGV system, you'll quickly find there are not nearly as many people who know how they work or how to use them properly. This section is intended to give you some basic understanding of AGVS applications and controls. Ultimately you will have a far better system if you personally involve yourself in the conception, planning, and implementation of the system.