Autonomous Mobile Robots | AMRs | Blog | Seegrid

The Benefit of AGV Safety Standards

Written by Seegrid | Apr 10, 2015 4:00:00 AM

Seegrid’s vision-powered automated guided vehicles (AGVs) safely and reliably operate in manufacturing and distribution facilities every day. These vehicles can reduce costs, boost efficiency, and improve safety within your operation. Keeping safety a priority, Seegrid’s vision-powered AGVs work alongside team members when delivering products to the vehicle's trained destination.

 

Keeping safety in mind, AGVs are equipped with a primary and secondary safety sensor for detection of obstructions. The primary safety sensor located in the front lower part of the vehicle is positioned in regulation with the ANSI B56.5 standards. This sensor has two fields, a slow field and a stop field, to detect obstructions in front of the vehicle. 

When an object such as a forklift, pallet, team member, or other obstruction is detected within the slow field, the vehicle will reduce its speed until the object leaves the field. Should an object enter the primary safety sensor stop field, the AGV comes to a complete stop until the obstruction is removed.

The patented Seegrid light curtain is not a safety rated sensor, but it does provide a secondary field around the font of the vehicle covering below its position down to the floor. The AGV will stop if an object is detected anywhere within that field. If an object is detected within the primary stop field or secondary sensor field, the AGV will discontinue automatic travel until the obstruction is removed, and sound the horn before travel resumes. 

As an added level of safety, each vehicle also comes equipped with several red e-stop buttons. If one of these buttons is pressed while the vehicle is in motion, it will not resume automatic travel until the e-stop has been reset. Safety is a top priority at Seegrid, and we are proud to deliver a solution that allows businesses to improve facility safety.