sponsoredIntralogistics  Planning a driverless transport system – how to meet every requirement

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When a company decides it wants to use mobile industrial robots to create a driverless transport system, thorough planning is essential. From analysing requirements to picking peripherals – read on to find out what really matters.

Driverless transport systems that operate with mobile robots have become indispensable for automated intralogistics. They streamline transport processes and reduce the strain on staff. But what is the best way to get started with a project like this? If you want to integrate mobile robots efficiently and run them cost-effectively, you first need to plan your driverless transport system in detail. Although technical components play an important role, responsibilities, safety aspects, environmental conditions and the right peripherals are also crucial.

Would you like to find out about the basics of mobile industrial robots first? The free white paper from item Industrietechnik provides an excellent introduction to the topic:

Define responsibilities and form a project team

The first step is to clarify responsibilities. Involve all the relevant people directly – both for planning and implementation. This is the only way to obtain a complete overview of all processes. During this phase, you should try to answer questions such as:

• Who is responsible for planning and implementation? 
• Have all the related departments been informed about the project?

Determine the tasks and objectives for the mobile robots

Once the project team has been established, key issues need to be addressed: What requirements does the driverless transport system need to meet? Answering the following questions can help you work out which specific mobile industrial robots are suitable:

• Which processes are to be automated? 
• What goods are being moved around – pallets, mesh boxes, small load carriers (SLCs) or bulk goods?
• Are the goods being transported changed or swapped?
• How often do transport operations take place?
• How heavy are the goods and what shape are they?

• How many robots do you need for your planned system?

Another white paper from item sets out all the relevant details for carefully planning and implementing a driverless transport system using mobile robots:

Thoroughly assess operating conditions

Besides analysing the tasks, you should also consider the environment where the robots will be operating. The physical conditions have a direct impact on how they run, their sensor technology and their navigation. Consider the following questions:

• Is a stable Wi-Fi connection available? 
• What is the condition of the floor?
• Are there any obstacles, such as door thresholds?
• Can lifts or other systems be integrated?
• Does the environment offer sufficient space for safe track guidance?

• Are there fixed points of orientation such as walls or pillars?

Take into account IT connectivity early on

A driverless transport system never operates in isolation – it is always integrated into a networked intralogistics system. It is therefore essential to consider IT integration. The following questions are particularly important to answer:

• Is there already a wireless network? 
• Is there a warehouse management system?
• Which system interface needs to be factored in for the warehouse equipment?

Consistently incorporate safety aspects

When planning a driverless transport system, safety requirements should be taken into account from the outset. VDI 2510 Sheet 2 describes the relevant specifications for operators and manufacturers of mobile industrial robots. Many mobile robots use lights or sounds to warn that they are approaching. Additional aspects to consider include:

• Will the mobile robots operate in areas where employees are present? 
• Will the mobile robots work with people, or just on their own?
• Will the mobile robots have a route reserved specifically for them?

Choosing the right mobile industrial robot

Which mobile industrial robot is best for your needs depends on all the factors listed above. It is important to think about technical, logistical and economic requirements as a whole:

• What are the characteristics of the goods to be transported? 
• How is the load placed on the robot – manually, mechanically or automatically?
• How does the robot navigate?
• Which drive concept is used? Do you intend to change batteries manually, or use an inductive energy supply?
• What is the available budget?

Don’t forget about transport and loading aids

Besides the robot itself, it is also essential to plan the peripherals for your driverless transport system. These must be optimally tailored to the transport task. Clarify the following questions:

• Are the loading aids stackable and versatile? 
• What are the characteristics of the goods being transported in terms of shape, size and sensitivity to external influences, for example?
• How safe is the transport process?
• Can different goods be carried on the same type of robot?

Wouldn’t it be ideal if one solution could cover as many mobile industrial robots and transport goods as possible? This is where the specially developed Base Carts and Top Modules from item come into play. The Base Carts are base frames that have been adapted to the requirements of well-known mobile robot manufacturers. The Top Modules are superstructures that you can connect directly to the Base Carts via a standard interface. You can either design your own Top Modules with the item Engineeringtool or make use of preconfigured sample solutions. These can be adapted as required.

Whether you’re working with Euro pallets, mesh boxes, SLCs or racks, you can use item solutions to create modular mobile robot peripherals for a huge variety of transport tasks. This means that one robot can be used for multiple tasks.

Make the most of expert know-how and keep your plans realistic

Numerous factors determine whether your plans for a driverless transport system can be successfully put into practice. Not every mobile industrial robot is suitable for every application – and not every function is really necessary. It is best to involve an experienced partner at an early stage. This could be a manufacturer or integrator who will work with you from the planning stage through implementation to commissioning. Bear in mind that projects like these can take several months to complete. Realistic time planning is therefore a must.