In brief
Origins, destinations, loads, time profiles and cycle times form the baseline fleet calculation. Traffic, charging, availability and dispatching determine whether the overall system performs.
How is an AGV or AMR system planned?
Planning connects the transport matrix, suitability assessment, technology selection, fleet sizing, route layout, charging and operating concept, IT interfaces and testable acceptance criteria.
1. Transport matrix and time profile
Each relation contains origin, destination, load carrier, quantity, frequency, priority and service window. Empty returns and exceptions remain visible. Shift starts, breaks, production ramp-up and shipping waves are evaluated separately from daily averages.
- 01
Task
Relations, loads and profiles
- 02
Suitability
Standardisation and environment
- 03
Design
Cycle time, fleet and charging
- 04
Integration
Layout, controls and transfers
- 05
Evidence
Test, performance, availability
2. Fleet sizing
The baseline combines loaded and empty travel, pickup and set-down, waiting and charging. Usable vehicle time is reduced by planned unavailability and a documented reserve. Peak windows are assessed independently.
| Component | Examples | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | loaded and empty routes, curves | base cycle time |
| Handling | pickup, set-down, positioning | mission duration |
| Traffic | intersections, mixed traffic | waiting and variability |
| Energy | charging windows and power | usable time |
| Operation | failure, maintenance, reserve | availability |
When simulation is useful
A static calculation can be sufficient for a few independent relations with stable demand. Material flow simulation is useful where vehicles share bottlenecks, dispatching rules matter or charging strategies interact with peaks.
3. Integration and acceptance
Routes are checked against clearances, doors, lifts, fire compartments, pedestrian traffic and transfer stations. Order, acknowledgement, status, exception and fallback messages are specified. Acceptance covers functions, coupling, trial operation, cycle time, throughput and availability under agreed conditions.
The current VDI 2710:2025 provides the integrated planning framework. VDI 2710 Part 4 combines monetary appraisal and utility analysis.