WORLD OF INDUSTRIES 02/2018

Intelligence of AGV systems −
Software makes all the difference
LOGISTICS
Driverless transport systems and their autonomous
guided vehicles (AGV) are taking on more and more
in-house transport tasks, because they can react
flexibly to changed requirements. Their ability to close
the gap in the chain of automated processes depends
on the capability of the AGV control system to
communicate with other systems while ensuring
maximum productivity as well as optimal worker
safety.
Based on task-oriented concepts, the DS Navios AGV control
software from DS Automotion covers the entire variety of requirements.
As early as 1984, DS Automotion GmbH started supplying AGV
systems using different system approaches to production and
healthcare facilities. Whether purpose-built custom vehicles or
automated standard handling equipment: In track-guided systems,
the vehicles follow magnetic stripes or induction loops, acting as
work piece or platform carriers in flow production and facilitating
flexibility gains in assembly processes. In classic intralogistics
applications, mainly AGVs using free navigation are used. They
verify the route they are pursuing using guiding aids such as floorrecessed
magnets, laser reflectors or contour-based navigation with
SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology.
Supplying AGV systems of various sizes and complexities to customers
around the globe, the Austrian company serves the most
diverse demands and requirements and ranks among the world’s
leading manufacturers. It owes this market position not least to
its DS Navios AGV family of control systems. It not only calculates
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