Is the AGV Labor Force Gliding Its Way to Your Carolina Warehouse?
What’s New in the World of Automated Guided Vehicles?
There’s no doubt that warehouse automation solutions are on the rise; one of the technologies leading the charge is automated guided vehicles, otherwise known as AGVs. Rapid technological advancements are coming along at the perfect time to help warehouse managers cope with a shrinking labor pool, rising overhead, and increasing demand for smaller, more labor-intensive order fulfillment.
AGVs offer a scalable, adaptable, and efficient solution to these order fulfillment challenges. The Apex Carolinas team, with local resources throughout North Carolina and South Carolina, can provide an on-site inspection and analysis to see if implementing an AGV solution will drive your team to success. Here are the basics, but call our team for a tailored solution.
WHAT IS AN AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE (AGV)?
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are wholly automated transport systems that operate as unmanned vehicles. They use lasers, cameras, floor markers, wires, or magnets to travel within a warehouse, distribution center, or other industrial facility. They optimize warehouse operations by safely executing labor-intensive tasks such as inventory stocking, order picking, and product handling. AGVs can be incorporated with WMS or ERP systems for central control and WCS to provide real-time inventory tracking and alerts regarding SKU availability and storage capacity. The ongoing advancements in AGV technology are directed at automating forklifts, small vehicle fleets, utility carts, and integrating AGVs with powered conveyor belts.
BENEFITS OF AGVs
- Improved fulfillment accuracy
- Steady processing rates
- Reduced production time
- Increase in warehouse safety
- Decreased labor and operational costs
- Reduced product damage
- Elimination of pallet rack damage
- Enhanced worker safety
Navigating AGV Options
We customize your AGV solution based on your warehouse layout, environment/climate, load size, travel distance, lifting range, handling task, system interface, and scalability.
AGVs can operate in lights-out conditions, harsh environments, and even handle hazardous materials. With the wide range of vehicle types, features, and capabilities available today, you can tailor your AGV solution to meet your needs.
AGV Navigation Choices
- Laser-guided
- Wire-guidance
- Magnetic
- Magnetic spot
- Optical and vision navigation
- Natural navigation
Industries actively integrating AGV technology into their warehouse operations include pharma, e-commerce, automotive, retail electronics and electrical warehousing, general manufacturing, and food and beverage.
THE EVOLUTION OF AGV TECHNOLOGY
As AGV implementation increases, the technology continues to advance. Traditional AGVs move along predetermined paths abled by guidance wire, lasers, or magnetic tape; however, advances have opened the door for more freely moving vehicles that adapt to warehouse design and flow. Newer AGV technologies include:
- Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM) – A mobile robot can construct a map of an environment and simultaneously use the map to calculate its location.
- Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) – A robot to adapts to a warehouse as opposed to modifying a warehouse for a robot.
- Additional Features – Lasers, advanced optics, cameras, and contour guidance.
To enable AGVs and personnel to share workspaces safely, vehicles are equipped with sophisticated obstacle sensing, audible and visual operating indicators, emergency stop buttons, and contact bumpers.
LET APEX HELP YOU TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD OF AGVS
Let your local Apex Carolinas team help you discover the world of AGV technology and determine the best solution for your warehouse operation. The Apex Automation experts will work with you to evaluate your needs and design the most cost-effective and productive way to address them.
Apex Carolina’s team offers local, personalized support to customers in the region. We have dedicated sales and engineering locations in Charlotte and Hickory, North Carolina, and Greenville South Carolina to simplify and streamline your project implementation. provideoffersApex delivers full-service integration of your warehouse automation solution from design and engineering through installation. Our vendor-agnostic product selections ensure you get the best solutions for your unique warehouse needs. Contact us today.
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