• IE interfaces
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 1996

It is a time-consuming work to develop a control software for AGVS considering different physical arrangements and transport requirements in automated manufacturing systems. An integrated software environment is suggested to support the development of the control software by utilizing a simulation software which imitates changes in the target shop floor. First, the basic functions of the controller are defined and interactions between modules(function) are identified to enhance the modularity of the controller. Prototype software is developed for the simulation station and the control station, respectively, which are connected with each other by a communication link to transmit predefined messages.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.459-464
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• 2004

In this paper, an autonomous navigation system for autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) operated in an automated container terminal is designed. The navigation system is based on the sensors detecting the range and bearing. The navigation algorithm used is an interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm to detect other AGVs and avoid other obstacles using informations obtained from multiple sensors. As models to detect other AGVs (or obstacles), two kinematic models are derived： Constant velocity model for linear motion and constant speed turn model for curvilinear motion. For constant speed turn model, an unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is used because of drawbacks of the extended Kalman filter (EKF) in nonlinear system. The suggested algorithm reduces the root mean squares error for linear motions, while it can rapidly detect possible turning motions.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.319-325
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• 2001

Recently. AGV systems are used to serve the raw material to each work stations automatically. There exists a trade-off between the adequate service supply and the number of purchased AGVs. Also, to reduce the overall production cost, the amount of inventory hold on the shop floor should be considered. In this paper, we present a heuristic technique for determining the number of AGVs which includes the net present fixed costs of each station, each purchased AGV, delivering cost, stock inventory cost, and safety stock inventory cost. Secondly, by using a genetic algorithm, the optimal number of AGVs and the optimal reorder quantity at each station are decided. Lastly, to verify then heuristic algorithm, we have done a computer simulation with different GA parameters.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.23-30
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• 2003

This study develops an efficient heuristic which is based on genetic approach for AGVs flow path layout problem. The suggested solution approach uses a algorithm to replace two 0-1 integer programming models and a branch-and-bound search algorithm. Genetic algorithms are a class of heuristic and optimization techniques that imitate the natural selection and evolutionary process. The solution is to determine the flow direction of line in network AGVs. The encoding of the solutions into binary strings is presented, as well as the genetic operators used by the algorithm. Genetic algorithm procedure is suggested, and a simple illustrative example is shown to explain the procedure.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1319-1329
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• 2012

AGVs are more and more utilized nowadays and magnetic guided AGVs are most widely used because their system has low cost and high speed. But this type of AGVs requires high infrastructure building cost and has poor flexibility of navigation path layout changing. Thus it is hard to applying this type of AGVs to a small quantity batch production system or a cooperative production system with many AGVs. In this paper, we propose a vision based guideline interpretation technique that uses the cheap, easily installable and changeable color tapes (or paint) as a guideline. So a vision-based AGV with color tapes is effectively applicable to the production systems. For easy setting and changing of AGV navigation path, we suggest an automatic method for interpreting a complex guideline layout including multi-branches and joins of branches. We also suggest a trace direction decision method for stable navigation of AGVs. Through several real-time navigation tests with an industrial AGV installed with the suggested technique, we confirmed that the technique is practically and stably applicable to real industrial field.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.592-598
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• 2008

This paper presents collision prediction and avoidance method for AGVS (Automatic Guide Vehicle System). Also, we propose the PO(Right of Path Occupying) with decentralized delay time for collision avoidance. Classified essential element of AGV's working environment is modeled in this paper. Using this model, we propose a new shortest path algorithm using A* search algorithm and obtain the information on AGVs travel time, coordinates and rotation vector. Finally, we use the AGVs information data as input for simulation program. The simulation practice is used in order to evaluate a collision prediction and avoidance, and it has been presented to demonstrate the applicability of the minimize delay time.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.535-542
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• 2011

The Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) is being utilized in numerous applications. The research for autonomous guided vehicles(AGVs) using precise positioning of GNSS is in progress. GNSS based AGVs is useful for setting driving path. This AGV system is more efficient than the previous one. Escipecially, the obstacle is positioned the driving path. Previcious AGVs which follow marker or wires laid out on the road have to stop the front of obstacle. But GNSS based AGVS can continuously drive using obstacle avoidance. In this paper, we developed collision avoidance system for GNSS based AGV using laser scanner and collision avoidance path setting algorithm. And we analyzed the developed system.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.635-640
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• 2004

In this paper, a tracking algorithm for autonomous navigation of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) operating in container terminals is presented. The developed navigation algorithm takes the form of a federated information filter used to detect other AGVs and avoid obstacles using fused information from multiple sensors. Being equivalent to the Kalman filter (KF) algebraically, the information filter is extended to N-sensor distributed dynamic systems. In multi-sensor environments, the information-based filter is easier to decentralize, initialize, and fuse than a KF-based filter. It is proved that the information state and the information matrix of the suggested filter, which are weighted in terms of an information sharing factor, are equal to those of a centralized information filter under the regular conditions. Numerical examples using Monte Carlo simulation are provided to compare the centralized information filter and the proposed one.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.77-93
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• 1998

It is discussed how to locate idle vehicles of AGVS on unidirectional guide paths. The problem is modeled as a median location problem on a cyclic network. The characteristics of the optimal location are analyzed and some useful properties are suggested to reduce the solution space. Based on the properties found, several special types of networks - a pure single-loop type, the loop type with a single branching intersection and the loop type with local branching node - are also analyzed as well as the general cyclic network. In each case of the networks, a solution procedure is suggested. Some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the algorithms developed.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.539-547
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• 2016

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are widely used in industry. Several types of vision-based AGVs have been studied in order to reduce cost of infrastructure building at floor of workspace and to increase flexibility of changing the navigation path layout. A practical vision-based guideline tracing method is proposed in this paper. A virtual tracing wheel is introduced and adopted in this method, which enables a vision-based AGV to trace a guideline in diverse ways. This method is also useful for preventing damage of the guideline by enforcing the real steering wheel of the AGV not to move on the guideline. Usefulness of the virtual tracing wheel is analyzed through computer simulations. Several navigation tests with a commercial AGV were also performed on a usual guideline layout and we confirmed that the virtual tracing wheel based tracing method could work practically well.