Both AGVs and AMRs will not harm people or damage the surrounding infrastructure because they are equipped with safety sensors that will prevent these devices from contacting humans and objects.
AGVs provide safe operating environments within industrial and commercial working conditions as there are specific safety rules, regulations, and safety standards that they must comply with.
AGV compliance starts with the inclusion of equipped safety sensors and accessories to proactively detect objects, calculate the prevalent risks, and implement actions to avoid unnecessary contact.
AGVs regularly operate smoothly and with predictability so as to minimize any contact from happening – however, on those rare occurrences where something does not work correctly, its internal safety system will bring the vehicle to a dead-stop, and instantly as well.
The AGV Safety Standard for the United States is located via this link: ANSI/ITSDF B56.5-2019, and for the European Union is located via this link: EU EN ISO 3691-4:2020
The key risk mitigation measures necessary for an automatic guided vehicle are divided into two principal categories:
- Active Risk mitigation measures
- Passive Risk mitigation measures
The key AGV active risk mitigation measures are:
- Safety laser scanner with collision avoidance system
- Pressure-sensitive bumper guards
- Safety PLC
The key important passive risk mitigation measures are:
- Emergency stop mechanisms
- Warning lights – flashing and rotating lights
- Audible warnings/ klaxon alarm signals
- Awareness and safety signage on AGVs
