A low-profile, automated guided vehicle (AGV) performs surface treatments over large areas of a structure having limited access, such as an aircraft underbelly. The AGV includes a movable gantry provided with automated robot. The robot has interchangeable end effectors for carrying out the surface treatments. Travel of the AGV relative to structure is controlled by a ground guidance system.

Work cell and factory level automation require that an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) achieve demanding positional accuracy and repeatability relative to a cradle fixture or workstand within a work cell. The AGV makes distance measurements of objects within the work cell using laser scanner sensors. The distance measurements are filtered of objects that are not target features on the cradle fixture or workstand. Systematic or bias errors of the laser scanner sensor are removed from the filtered distance measurements, and a mathematical filter or estimator is applied to the filtered distance measurements using random errors of the laser scanner sensor to generate estimated distance measurements. A map of the target features is then constructed using the estimated distance measurements, wherein the map is used for path planning and navigation control of the AGV relative to the cradle fixture or workstand within the work cell.

The present application provides a method, apparatus and system for controlling transportation between warehouses. The method includes: receiving, from the source RCS, first transportation information which includes information of a first to-be-transported object; transporting the first to-be-transported object to a handover area; transferring control over the AGV from the source RCS to the target RCS; receiving a location of a first target storage space from the target RCS; transporting the first to-be-transported object from the handover area to the first target storage space. In the present application, the AGV transfers the control over itself from the source RCS to the target RCS after moving the to-be-transported object to the handover area, such that the target RCS could take over the AGV and control the AGV to transport the first to-be-transported object from the handover area to the first target storage space. In this way, a fully automatic transportation is achieved, improving the efficiency of transporting and warehousing compared to manual transporting.

Systems and methods for generating a mission for a self-driving material-transport vehicle are presented. The system comprises at least one self-driving material-transport vehicle, at least one programmable logic controller, at least one field instrument, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium in communication with at least one processor. An application signal is received from the programmable logic controller based on an activation signal from the field instrument. A mission is generated by the application signal and a mission template, and the mission is transmitted to the self-driving material-transport vehicle. In some cases, the application signal may be based on OPC-UA, and the mission and/or mission template may be based on a REST protocol.

System devices and methods for logistical handling and transfer of components and consumable assembly materials to support assembly or manufacturing operations. Through use of a transport vehicle having first and second container supports, the method allows in a component storage area and an assembly area, the transport vehicle both engaging or picking up a full or empty container and disengaging or depositing a full or empty container. In an alternate example, two separate transport vehicles can coordinatingly move together to engage or pick up a full or empty container and disengage or deposit a full or empty container in the component storage area or assembly area.

An intelligent workpiece system includes a workpiece comprising a portion of a product; and an embedded computing system attached to the workpiece. The embedded computing system is configured to communicate with machines in a manufacturing environment to facilitate assembly of the workpiece into the product at a plurality of assembling areas.

System devices and methods for logistical handling and transfer of components and consumable assembly materials to support assembly or manufacturing operations. Through use of a transport vehicle having first and second container supports, the method allows in a component storage area and an assembly area, the transport vehicle both engaging or picking up a full or empty container and disengaging or depositing a full or empty container. In an alternate example, two separate transport vehicles can coordinatingly move together to engage or pick up a full or empty container and disengage or deposit a full or empty container in the component storage area or assembly area.

Signals are transmitted between a device placed on an object and at least one further device. Based on measurement of the signals transmitted between the device and the at least one further device, a position of the object is determined. Further, data associated with the object are stored in the device. The stored data are then transmitted from the device.

The present application provides a method, apparatus and system for controlling transportation between warehouses. The method includes: receiving, from the source RCS, first transportation information which includes information of a first to-be-transported object; transporting the first to-be-transported object to a handover area; transferring control over the AGV from the source RCS to the target RCS; receiving a location of a first target storage space from the target RCS; transporting the first to-be-transported object from the handover area to the first target storage space. In the present application, the AGV transfers the control over itself from the source RCS to the target RCS after moving the to-be-transported object to the handover area, such that the target RCS could take over the AGV and control the AGV to transport the first to-be-transported object from the handover area to the first target storage space. In this way, a fully automatic transportation is achieved, improving the efficiency of transporting and warehousing compared to manual transporting.

Systems and methods for generating a mission for a self-driving material-transport vehicle are presented. The system comprises at least one self-driving material-transport vehicle, at least one programmable logic controller, at least one field instrument, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium in communication with at least one processor. An application signal is received from the programmable logic controller based on an activation signal from the field instrument. A mission is generated by the application signal and a mission template, and the mission is transmitted to the self-driving material-transport vehicle. In some cases, the application signal may be based on OPC-UA, and the mission and/or mission template may be based on a REST protocol.