AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLES (AGV).

By driverless shopfloor transfer vehicles (DSTV) are meant trackless vehicles where the function of the driver or of the operator is wholly or partly automated. Drive is primarily battery electric. Applying the criteria of 'direction of movement of the material to be handled' and 'automation', the group of DSTV's can be broken down into three subgroups: DSTV for horizontal conveyance, for horizontal and vertical conveyance, and for automated narrow aisle truck systems. The DSTV's for horizontal as well as horizontal and vertical conveyance are termed 'automated guided vehicles' (AGV's), and the third subgroup is termed 'automatic narrow aisle truck system' (ANATS). The affix 'system' in these definitions denotes that not only single devices are involved, but also the line and control systems necessary for use of these devices. The design and applications of these systems are described.