In today’s modern world, there are driverless taxis, robot food deliveries and more automation around us. So, automation within businesses just makes sense.
As of 2024, there is a rise in automated guided vehicles (AGVs) helping businesses handle goods more efficiently and quicker than ever. Automated products are reducing manual labour, subsequently minimising human error and dropping labouring costs – all whilst getting the work done safely.
We predict more warehouses will adopt automation into their processes as time goes on, so here’s everything you need to know about AGVs.
What are AGVs?
Automated Guided Vehicles known as AGVs, are smart driverless vehicles designed to handle repetitive tasks in the warehouse and manufacturing environments. Equipped with high-tech sensors and lasers, they move materials within facilities following marked long lines or wires on the floors.
Not to be mistaken for AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), they improvise their movements using sophisticated sensors and artificial intelligence without any predefined path. AGVs stick through their defined routes (marked by wires or tapes) whilst AMRs actively move through space avoiding obstacles in real-time.
The benefits of AGVs
- Increased efficiency and productivity. AGVs can work 24/7 without fatigue, allowing businesses to maintain high productivity levels even during night shifts or peak periods. Their reliability ensures consistent material flow, reducing bottlenecks and delays in the supply chain.
- Enhanced safety. Safety is a top priority in the warehouse and factory environments. AGVs are equipped with obstacle detection sensors and advanced safety protocols that prevent collisions, minimising workplace accidents.
- Cost savings. By reducing the need for manual labour, AGVs significantly cut down operational costs. Labour shortages and rising wages make AGVs a cost-effective solution for companies looking to streamline their workforce while maintaining high operational standards.
- Operational flexibility. AGVs are highly adaptable and can be customised to meet specific business needs. Whether operating in a high-bay warehouse or transporting materials across different workstations, AGVs can handle a variety of scenarios with ease.
- Integration with other systems. Modern AGVs can integrate seamlessly with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). This level of integration ensures real-time data tracking and improved decision-making.
HELI’s advanced AGV solutions
As a global leader in material handling products, HELI has taken the initiative to offer highly advanced and customisable AGV solutions. Since the 1990s, HELI has been focused on creating cutting-edge logistics technologies. With more than 150 logistics projects and over 500 AGVs deployed, HELI has a proven track record of delivering tailored solutions to a variety of industries, including warehousing, manufacturing, and 3rd-party logistics.
Here are some different AGV solutions HELI provide:
- Reach Type AGVs: Designed for optimising high-level material storage in factory environments. These AGVs are particularly effective in maximising vertical space in e-commerce and logistics centre warehouses where high shelves are common.
- Stacking Type AGVs: Specifically built for the seamless transfer of materials between warehouses, production lines, and various operational processes. These AGVs ensure smooth, efficient movement, enhancing workflow on busy production floors.
- Counterbalanced Type AGVs: With a compact design for manoeuvrability in narrow spaces, these AGVs excel in indoor and outdoor environments, handling tasks such as cargo loading, unloading, and precise material transportation in confined areas. Their three-wheeled configuration ensures adaptability.
- Straddle Stacking AGVs: Built to handle heavy-duty material transport, these AGVs are essential for industries dealing with bulk or oversized goods, such as manufacturing or large-scale warehousing.
- Handling Type AGVs: Perfect for point-to-point material transport, these AGVs streamline movements between ground-level warehouses and production lines, ensuring that materials get where they’re needed with minimal downtime.
- Latent Top-Up AGVs: These advanced AGVs utilise a lifting platform to transport goods from shelves to workstations. With integrated warehouse management systems, they support multi-SKU operations and enable fast, large-scale order picking for industries such as retail, e-commerce, and logistics.
- Latent Traction AGVs: Designed for material distribution between warehouses and production lines, these AGVs ensure efficient transport within manufacturing or warehousing environments, handling diverse materials with ease.
- Trail Traction Type AGVs: Optimised for large-scale material supply operations, these AGVs can tow multiple trucks at once, making them ideal for mass transport within factories or distribution centres.
- Piggyback AGVs: These AGVs specialise in inter-line material transport, with the flexibility to rate in place and move through narrow pathways. Their versatility is perfect for industries with complex or compact layouts.
As companies worldwide move toward automation, now is the time to invest in solutions that will future-proof your business. HELI’s AGV products offer unparalleled reliability, flexibility, and safety, making them the ideal choice when looking to optimise your business. Whether you’re managing a large warehouse, running a production line, or handling sensitive goods, HELI’s advanced AGV solutions can help you stay ahead of the competition.
Ready to transform your logistics with HELI’s AGV technology? Contact us today to discover how our solutions can meet your specific business needs.