Design and Fabrication of an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) for Shop-Floor Material Han...

Objective: To design, fabricate, and validate a cost-effective automated guided vehicle (AGV) prototype for efficient material transport on industrial shop floors.

Manual material handling on Indian shop floors, especially in small- and medium-scale manufacturing units, leads to inefficiencies, workplace injuries, and production delays. The absence of affordable automation solutions hinders productivity and safety, particularly in industries with limited skilled labor and high material flow requirements.

This project proposes the engineering and fabrication of a compact AGV that autonomously navigates predefined paths to transport materials between workstations. The solution employs line-following sensors, microcontroller-based control, and an electric drive system, integrating safety features and user interface for easy operation. The approach emphasizes low-cost design, modularity, and adaptability to Indian shop-floor layouts.

Key deliverables include a fully functional AGV prototype (payload: 15–20 kg), complete system integration (mechanical chassis, drive, sensors, controller), path-following and obstacle detection, user control panel, and safety mechanisms. The group will demonstrate the AGV transporting materials along a mapped route in a simulated factory layout, with live validation of navigation accuracy and operational safety.

Industry and societal impact: The project addresses productivity and safety challenges in Indian manufacturing, providing a scalable, affordable automation solution for MSMEs. The design can be adapted for different payloads, navigation methods (magnetic/optical/QR), and integrated with Industry 4.0 systems for future scalability.