Automated guided vehicles are heavy-weight carriers that can navigate distribution centers, factories, and warehouses independently without a driver in the vehicle. They can be loaded with various loads, including pallets and large packages, and can operate at high speeds of up to 5 meters per second. These vehicles are increasingly being used in the logistics and transportation industry as they improve efficiency by reducing labor costs and worker safety.
Benefits of AGVs:
Decreases labor costs:
AGVs reduce labor costs in your operation in many ways. The use of an automated guided vehicle does not need human interference; it does not need to be manually controlled.
Therefore, the business has to invest only in the machine and can eliminate extra costs such as recruitment (for a new hire), healthcare insurance, payroll taxes, salary hikes, vacation time, etc. The corporation incurs the singular expense of the equipment as AGV can replace a human.
AGVs significantly improve productivity by automating tasks that used to require humans. This results in increased production and reduced waste.
Increased safety:
Because safety is a priority in their design, AGVs are loaded with cameras, lasers, and other sensors that enable them to work safely close to people and other objects. Forklifts are an example of human-operated technology that lacks many safety safeguards and ultimately relies on human input, which can be compromised in several ways.
When you’re working with a manual system, your employees have to make split-second decisions about whether or not they should stop what they’re doing and get out of the way.
However, with an AGV system, all of these decisions are made for you; the vehicle will only continue moving forward if it is absolutely certain there’s nothing in its path. This means that there’s no chance for error when using AGVs you can rest assured that when your AGV reaches its destination, it will stop without incident.
For example, while AGVs can detect other vehicles in their vicinity and adjust their course accordingly, forklifts will simply run into them or try to go around them. Similarly, AGVs can detect obstacles and stop before they hit them, whereas forklifts do not have this ability.
This means that if a worker is standing too close to an AGV when it starts moving, it will stop before coming into contact with him/her; however, if a worker is standing too close to a forklift at the same time and it starts to move, he/she may get hit even if they moved out of the way.
Reduces human-error:
Humans make mistakes, and that’s just a fact of life. When you’re running an operation that depends on accurately completing a workflow, you can’t afford to have humans making errors in their work. It leads to waste, missed deadlines, and lower-quality products.
AGVs are the answer to your problems. They’re capable of executing complex workflows with pinpoint accuracy and consistency, allowing your operations to become more productive and accurate. You can also use them 24/7, meaning that no matter how long your employees are willing to work, AGVs will be there with them every step!
In conclusion, if you want to improve efficiency and reduce labor costs significantly, use automated guided vehicles as they are safe, reliable, and durable. They can also navigate your facility or warehouse better than humans, transporting goods quickly and efficiently.