Application of Automated Guided Vehicles in Smart Automated Warehouse Systems:A Survey

Automated Guided Vehicles(AGVs)have been introduced into various applications,such as automated warehouse systems,flexible manufacturing systems,and container terminal systems.However,few publications have outlined problems in need of attention in AGV applications comprehensively.In this paper,several key issues and essential models are presented.First,the advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized AGVs systems were compared;second,warehouse layout and operation optimization were introduced,including some omitted areas,such as AGVs fleet size and electrical energy management;third,AGVs scheduling algorithms in chessboardlike environments were analyzed;fourth,the classical route-planning algorithms for single AGV and multiple AGVs were presented,and some Artificial Intelligence(AI)-based decision-making algorithms were reviewed.Furthermore,a novel idea for accelerating route planning by combining Reinforcement Learning(RL)andDijkstra’s algorithm was presented,and a novel idea of the multi-AGV route-planning method of combining dynamic programming and Monte-Carlo tree search was proposed to reduce the energy cost of systems.

A greedy path planning algorithm based on pre-path-planning and real-time-conflict for multiple automated guided vehicles in large-scale outdoor scenarios

With the wide application of automated guided vehicles(AGVs) in large scale outdoor scenarios with complex terrain,the collaborative work of a large number of AGVs becomes the main trend.The effective multi-agent path finding(MAPF) algorithm is urgently needed to ensure the efficiency and realizability of the whole system. The complex terrain of outdoor scenarios is fully considered by using different values of passage cost to quantify different terrain types. The objective of the MAPF problem is to minimize the cost of passage while the Manhattan distance of paths and the time of passage are also evaluated for a comprehensive comparison. The pre-path-planning and real-time-conflict based greedy(PRG) algorithm is proposed as the solution. Simulation is conducted and the proposed PRG algorithm is compared with waiting-stop A^(*) and conflict based search(CBS) algorithms. Results show that the PRG algorithm outperforms the waiting-stop A^(*) algorithm in all three performance indicators,and it is more applicable than the CBS algorithm when a large number of AGVs are working collaboratively with frequent collisions.

Simultaneous scheduling of machines and automated guided vehicles in flexible manufacturing systems using genetic algorithms

The problem of simultaneous scheduling of machines and vehicles in flexible manufacturing system (FMS) was addressed.A spreadsheet based genetic algorithm (GA) approach was presented to solve the problem.A domain independent general purpose GA was used,which was an add-in to the spreadsheet software.An adaptation of the propritary GA software was demonstrated to the problem of minimizing the total completion time or makespan for simultaneous scheduling of machines and vehicles in flexible manufacturing systems.Computational results are presented for a benchmark with 82 test problems,which have been constructed by other researchers.The achieved results are comparable to the previous approaches.The proposed approach can be also applied to other problems or objective functions without changing the GA routine or the spreadsheet model.

Study on scheduling algorithm for multiple handling requests of single automated guided vehicles

To solve the problem of small amount of machining centers in small and medium flexible manufacture systems(FMS), a scheduling mode of single automated guided vehicle(AGV) is adopted to deal with multiple transport requests in this paper. Firstly, a workshop scheduling mechanism of AGV is analyzed and a mathematical model is established using Genetic Algorithm. According to several sets of transport priority of AGV, processes of FMS are encoded, and fitness function, selection, crossover, and variation methods are designed. The transport priority which has the least impact on scheduling results is determined based on the simulation analysis of Genetic Algorithm, and the makespan, the longest waiting time, and optimal route of the car are calculated. According to the actual processing situation of the workshop, feasibility of this method is verified successfully to provide an effective solution to the scheduling problem of single AGV.

AGV Scheduling Optimization of Automated Port Based on Disruption Management

The recent rapid development of China’s foreign trade has led to the significant increase in waterway transportation and automated container ports. Automated terminals can significantly improve the loading and unloading efficiency of container terminals. These terminals can also increase the port’s transportation volume while ensuring the quality of cargo loading and unloading, which has become an inevitable trend in the future development of ports. However, the continuous growth of the port’s transportation volume has increased the horizontal transportation pressure on the automated terminal, and the problems of route conflicts and road locks faced by automated guided vehicles (AGV) have become increasingly prominent. Accordingly, this work takes Xiamen Yuanhai automated container terminal as an example. This work focuses on analyzing the interference problem of path conflict in its horizontal transportation AGV scheduling. Results show that path conflict, the most prominent interference factor, will cause AGV scheduling to be unable to execute the original plan. Consequently, the disruption management was used to establish a disturbance recovery model, and the Dijkstra algorithm for combining with time windows is adopted to plan a conflict-free path. Based on the comparison with the rescheduling method, the research obtains that the deviation of the transportation path and the deviation degree of the transportation path under the disruption management method are much lower than those of the rescheduling method. The transportation path deviation degree of the disruption management method is only 5.56%. Meanwhile, the deviation degree of the transportation path under the rescheduling method is 44.44%.

Application of Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Based on Inductive Guidance for Newsprint Rolls Transportation System

The paper presents the development and performance of a kinematics control scheme for the AGV based on inductive guidance in transporting newsprint rolls. The required error is pre-computed using a kinematics model of the AGV taking into account the effect of various factors that contribute to improve tracking performance of the AGV. Simulation and experimental results illustrate that the kinematics model performs well and the results of various factors contribute to tracking performance of the AGV.

不确定情景下AGV系统调度算法的仿真平台

不确定情境下的完整自动引导车(automated guided vehicle,AGV)系统调度算法,除了要包含常见的任务指派策略和路径规划算法之外,还需要包含冲突应对策略。由于存在随机性,这样的调度算法难以从理论上分析其特性,相关研究也较少。基于离散事件仿真技术,设计并开发了一个AGV系统仿真平台,可以灵活地设置调度问题,并选择调度算法中的任务指派策略、路径规划算法和路径冲突应对策略进行仿真。该平台具有可视化的界面,可以直观地观察AGV的运行状态和调度算法的表现,也可以输出最终的仿真实验统计数据。实验表明:该平台可以准确有效地对不确定情景下的调度算法进行评估与比较。

Development status and prospect of cold chain logistics of fruits,vegetables,and agricultural products based on intelligent technology

The cold chain in the production area of fruits and vegetables is the primary link to reduce product loss and improve product quality,but it is also a weak link.With the application of big data technology in cold chain logistics,intelligent devices,and technologies have become important carriers for improving the efficiency of cold chain logistics in fruit and vegetable production areas,extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables,and reducing fruit and vegetable losses.They have many advantages in fruit and vegetable pre-cooling,sorting and packaging,testing,warehousing,transportation,and other aspects.This article summarizes the rapidly developing and widely used intelligent technologies at home and abroad in recent years,including automated guided vehicle intelligent handling based on electromagnetic or optical technology,intelligent sorting based on sensors,electronic optics,and other technologies,intelligent detection based on computer vision technology,intelligent transportation based on perspective imaging technology,etc.It analyses and studies the innovative research and achievements of various scholars in applying intelligent technology in fruit and vegetable cold chain storage,sorting,detection,transportation,and other links,and improves the efficiency of fruit and vegetable cold chain logistics.However,applying intelligent technology in fruit and vegetable cold chain logistics also faces many problems.The challenges of high cost,difficulty in technological integration,and talent shortages have limited the development of intelligent technology in the field of fruit and vegetable cold chains.To solve the current problems,it is proposed that costs be controlled through independent research and development,technological innovation,and other means to lower the entry threshold for small enterprises.Strengthen integrating intelligent technology and cold chain logistics systems to improve data security and system compatibility.At the same time,the government should introduce relevant policies,provide necessary financial support,and establish talent training mechanisms.Accelerate the development and improvement of intelligent technology standards in the field of cold chain logistics.Through technological innovation,cost control,talent cultivation,and policy guidance,we aim to promote the upgrading of the agricultural industry and provide ideas for improving the quality and efficiency of fruit and vegetable cold chain logistics.

Prescribed-time stabilisation control of differential driven automated guided vehicle

The position control problem of differential-driven automated guided vehicles(AGVs)based on the prescribed-time control method is studied.First,an innovative orientation error function is proposed by an auxiliary arcsine function about the orientation angle.Thus,the problem of position control of AGV is transformed into the stabilisation control of the kinematic system.Second,by introducing a reserved time parameter and a smooth switching function,a novel time-varying scaling function is proposed.This novel scaling function avoids the risk of infinite gain in the conventional prescribed-time control method while ensuring the smoothness of control laws.Then,an improved velocity constraint function is proposed using the Gaussian function.Compared with the existing constraint function,the proposed method not only has more smoothness but also solves the balance point errors caused by the large AGV orientation errors.The presented method ensures that the AGV reaches the target position in a prescribed time.Hence,the upper bound of the AGV system state can be determined by adjusting parameters.Matlab simulation results show that the proposed controller can effectively make the AGV system state satisfy the prescribed bound.

自适应伸缩因子的变论域模糊控制的AGV纠偏

针对自动导航车(Automated Guided Vehicle, AGV)纠偏控制响应较慢这一问题,提出了一种自适应伸缩因子的变论域模糊纠偏控制方法。建立了AGV的运动学方程,以车体位置、角度偏差为输入量,以车体转向角度为输出量,在设计模糊纠偏控制器的基础上,引入了基于函数模型的参数自适应伸缩因子,将系统误差作为输入,将伸缩因子参数作为输出,实现了伸缩因子基于函数模型的参数实时自适应调整,使模糊变论域跟随误差变化而调整,避免因变论域不恰当导致控制效果变差的问题。最后通过MATLAB环境下的Simulink仿真研究,将该控制器的纠偏控制效果与传统模糊控制、传统变论域模糊控制的纠偏控制效果进行仿真对比,验证了该控制器的纠偏控制响应更快。

基于启发式强化学习的AGV路径规划

针对传统算法、智能算法与强化学习算法在自动引导小车(automated guided vehicle,AGV)路径规划中收敛速度慢、学习效率低的问题,提出一种启发式强化学习算法,并针对传统Q(λ)算法,设计启发式奖励函数和启发式动作选择策略,以此强化智能体对优质行为的探索,提高算法学习效率.通过仿真对比实验,验证了基于改进Q(λ)启发式强化学习算法在探索次数、规划时间、路径长度与路径转角上都具有一定的优势.

移动机器人智能车场停车资源调度分配

当今社会“停车难”的问题日渐严峻,通过引入移动机器人(automated guided vehicle,AGV)构建自动化智能停车场迫在眉睫。针对AGV智能停车场可以自由选择终点这一特点,本文提出了一种停车资源分配方案的代价评价模型,将路径干涉概率引入代价评价模型;同时针对现有的停车资源分配方法对AGV运行情况运行不足从而造成浪费的情况,本文在现有的停车资源分配方法的基础上提出了根据距离交替分配以及基于遗传算法的整体规划分配两种停车资源分配方法。通过Plant Simulation软件对代价模型以及分配方法进行验证,仿真结果显示:在44个停车位,4辆AGV投入运输的情况下,通过降低停车代价将停车总时长提高了30.4%,并针对仿真过程对影响停车效率的因素进行分析。

Mobileman,Construction Agile Goods Delivery Robot

The traditional automated guided vehicle(AGV) on goods delivery faces the challenges when task space expands beyond 2 D plans. 3 D environments such as uneven terrain, ramps, and staircase are typical in construction site. Thus, the key to introducing this technology into construction industry is to improve AGV’s stability and autonomous navigation ability in more complex three-dimensional environments. In this paper, mobileman, a novel tracked autonomous guide vehicle, is introduced. Compared with other construction robots, mobileman maximizes its load capacity on the basis of assuring accessibility. Furthermore, its modular designs and self-balancing platform enable it to cope with more complex challenging scenarios, such as staircase with 35-degree sloped staircase, while another modular design featured automated loading and unloading functionality. The mobile base specifications were presented in section two, and modular designs and exploration of the navigation system on construction site were illustrated in the rest of sections.

Enhancing safety and efficiency in automated container terminals: Route planning for hazardous material AGV using LSTM neural network and Deep Q-Network

As the proliferation and development of automated container terminal continue,the issues of efficiency and safety become increasingly significant.The container yard is one of the most crucial cargo distribution centers in a terminal.Automated Guided Vehicles(AGVs)that carry materials of varying hazard levels through these yards without compromising on the safe transportation of hazardous materials,while also maximizing efficiency,is a complex challenge.This research introduces an algorithm that integrates Long Short-Term Memory(LSTM)neural network with reinforcement learning techniques,specifically Deep Q-Network(DQN),for routing an AGV carrying hazardous materials within a container yard.The objective is to ensure that the AGV carrying hazardous materials efficiently reaches its destination while effectively avoiding AGVs carrying non-hazardous materials.Utilizing real data from the Meishan Port in Ningbo,Zhejiang,China,the actual yard is first abstracted into an undirected graph.Since LSTM neural network can efficiently conveys and represents information in long time sequences and do not causes useful information before long time to be ignored,a two-layer LSTM neural network with 64 neurons per layer was constructed for predicting the motion trajectory of AGVs carrying non-hazardous materials,which are incorporated into the map as background AGVs.Subsequently,DQN is employed to plan the route for an AGV transporting hazardous materials,aiming to reach its destination swiftly while avoiding encounters with other AGVs.Experimental tests have shown that the route planning algorithm proposed in this study improves the level of avoidance of hazardous material AGV in relation to non-hazardous material AGVs.Compared to the method where hazardous material AGV follow the shortest path to their destination,the avoidance efficiency was enhanced by 3.11%.This improvement demonstrates potential strategies for balancing efficiency and safety in automated terminals.Additionally,it provides insights for designing avoidance schemes for autonomous driving AGVs,offering solutions for complex operational environments where safety and efficient navigation are paramount.

Multimodal processes optimization subject to fuzzy operation time constraints:declarative modeling approach

We present an extension of the resource-constrained multi-product scheduling problem for an automated guided vehicle(AGV) served flow shop, where multiple material handling transport modes provide movement of work pieces between machining centers in the multimodal transportation network(MTN). The multimodal processes behind the multi-product production flow executed in an MTN can be seen as processes realized by using various local periodically functioning processes. The considered network of repetitively acting local transportation modes encompassing MTN's structure provides a framework for multimodal processes scheduling treated in terms of optimization of the AGVs fleet scheduling problem subject to fuzzy operation time constraints. In the considered case, both production takt and operation execution time are described by imprecise data. The aim of the paper is to present a constraint propagation(CP) driven approach to multi-robot task allocation providing a prompt service to a set of routine queries stated in both direct and reverse way. Illustrative examples taking into account an uncertain specification of robots and workers operation time are provided.