A Study on the Automated Guided Vehicle Platform for a Logistics Robot

Abstract

The need for automated material handling inside the factory has been steadily increasing, especially due to implementation of intelligent manufacturing for better productivity and product quality. Automated material handling devices include logistics robots, automated guided vehicles, industrial robots, collaborative robots, and pick-and-place devices. This study focuses on the development of a low-cost logistics robot that works effectively within a simulated smart factory environment. A nominal PID controller is implemented to guide the robot to follow the line painted on the factory floor. The tracking error information is generated by four down-facing infrared sensors and is fed into the controller. The line-following performance is significantly improved with augmentation of a model-based friction compensator. Optimization of battery power depending on the remaining charge status enhances the reliability. All hardware/software development is supported by the Arduino platform. The step-by-step movement and performance of the logistics robot is verified inside the simulated smart factory environment that includes a robot arm, three conveyors, and two processing stations.