Dirk van de Sande

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Dirk van de Sande is a leading researcher in the field of industrial automation and logistics, with a primary focus on the optimization of automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems. His work centers on solving complex scheduling problems that arise in modern factories, particularly those involving heterogeneous fleets of multi-load AGVs operating under real-world constraints. Van de Sande’s most significant contribution is his pioneering integration of battery capacity limitations into AGV scheduling models, a critical factor for ensuring both efficiency and sustainability in large-scale material handling systems. His highly cited 2021 paper, “Scheduling heterogeneous multi-load AGVs with battery constraints” (96 citations), has become a foundational reference for researchers and practitioners alike, demonstrating how to balance transport demand with energy management. This work has directly influenced the design of more intelligent, energy-aware logistics systems in manufacturing. Van de Sande’s research is notable for its practical relevance, bridging the gap between theoretical optimization and industrial application, and his contributions are shaping the next generation of autonomous, battery-powered factory logistics.