Consumption Patterns and the Advent of Automated Guided Vehicles, and the Trends for Automated Guided Vehicles

Abstract

In this paper we review how automation and robots are a key player in contributing to the increased need for profit by providing decrease production costs, reducing delivery time, improving quality, and increasing customer satisfaction. In particular, we focus on logistics robots, namely, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and automated mobile robots (AMRs), generically addressing their applications, state of the art, and trends. We further identify technological trends and implementation challenges. Finally, we discuss how they can influence future implementations of the Factory of the Future and help attaining the goal of implementing all lights out factory.