October 29, 2018
AUTOMATION ADDS EFFICIENCY, AND UL HELPS KEEP IT SAFE
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) have been used in industrial settings for a while and, as these technologies expand into commercial settings, safety remains important. From forklifts and tow trucks to warehouse pickers and food runners at restaurants, the applications for AGVs continue to grow. Complex navigation systems and lithium-ion batteries make this future possible, and UL delivers solutions to help ensure the safe operation of these key components.
“Unmanned AGVs are here to assist the current workforce, not replace it,” said Joseph Bablo, a principal engineer manager for the energy systems and e-mobility team within UL’s Energy & Power Technologies division. “These vehicles are helping to increase productivity and efficiency by moving materials back and forth continuously without breaks, enabling individuals to focus on other aspects of their jobs that will ultimately get high volumes of product out the door more quickly.”
To support the safe indoor use of AGVs, UL released UL 3100, Outline of Investigation for Automated Guided Vehicles. This new outline addresses battery maintenance (reliability and safety), protection systems and monitoring systems. The requirements also include risk assessments and functional safety evaluations of the guidance, object detection and avoidance, and braking systems. In addition, the requirements include risk assessments and functional safety evaluations of the guidance, object detection and avoidance, and braking systems.
To learn more the future of AGVs and how UL remains focused on safety, visit Inside UL.