Safety Requirements of Automated Guided Vehicles and Autonomous Mobile Robots
As the cost of warehousing operations has risen over the past decade, many supply chain leaders across logistics and manufacturing have been turning toward automated solutions, including mobile platforms for transporting and delivering goods.
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has only accelerated this phenomenon as companies around the world have made efforts to increase the safety of their employees by re-examining their current manufacturing and processing practices, even as the demand for certain products and services has increased. This may mean automating as many tasks as possible so that humans can work on safer, less interactive tasks.
While there have been several safety standards and regulations published for industrial mobile robot platforms, the upcoming release of UL 3100 and ANSI/RIA R15.08 has mirrored the projected industry growth specific for these kinds of robotic applications.
This whitepaper will outline the current standards landscape for industrial mobile robot platforms.
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has only accelerated this phenomenon as companies around the world have made efforts to increase the safety of their employees by re-examining their current manufacturing and processing practices, even as the demand for certain products and services has increased. This may mean automating as many tasks as possible so that humans can work on safer, less interactive tasks.
While there have been several safety standards and regulations published for industrial mobile robot platforms, the upcoming release of UL 3100 and ANSI/RIA R15.08 has mirrored the projected industry growth specific for these kinds of robotic applications.
This whitepaper will outline the current standards landscape for industrial mobile robot platforms.
Defining Industrial Mobile Robot Platforms:
In North America, a technical distinction is being made between “Automated Guided Vehicles” (AGVs), and “Autonomous Mobile Robots” (AMRs).
Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) - An AGV is a powered Industrial Truck that is not mechanically restrained (e.g. rails, guides, etc.), unmanned and designed to operate automatically for load lifting, carrying, picking, towing and the like.
Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) - An AMR is also unmanned (without the possibility to be manned) but operate autonomously, mainly using wireless radio communication technology to navigate.
In North America, a technical distinction is being made between “Automated Guided Vehicles” (AGVs), and “Autonomous Mobile Robots” (AMRs).
Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) - An AGV is a powered Industrial Truck that is not mechanically restrained (e.g. rails, guides, etc.), unmanned and designed to operate automatically for load lifting, carrying, picking, towing and the like.
Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) - An AMR is also unmanned (without the possibility to be manned) but operate autonomously, mainly using wireless radio communication technology to navigate.
