Towards Implementation of Intelligent Mobile Robots in a Manufacturing Environment

Abstract

This paper presents experimental results of intelligent mobile robot implementation for material transport in a manufacturing environment. Conventional material transport solutions are based on Automated Guided Vehicles. However, constant technological development and changes on the market affect implemented production policies and imply usage of more intelligent transport solutions. The paper provides experimental results of a robotic control architecture founded on a hybrid deliberative/reactive approach, built to achieve intelligent transport having Intelligent Transportation System as the final outcome. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory model of an existing manufacturing environment. Although results show applicability of architecture and provide glimpse of a real world implementation, some questions are still unanswered and further research is needed to meet all requirements of this task.