The Nuovo Pignone company (now General Electric), following quality control directives, installed and activated an AGV system to transport pallets and precision tools for the construction of textile machinery.

This AGV system is using a RISC machine running a UNIX operating system, which is much more standard and reliable than PCs.

The system runs over a state-based management philosophy using timers rather than being driven from events coming from AGVs or the field.

New management of intersections and mission queuing.

Improved low-level communication driver between the host computer and the AGV.

This system is using an Informix Database, the user interface is 4GL and the low level programming (like communication protocols) is done in C++.

AGV navigation type: Laser guidance

Traffic controller: IBM RS6000, Host communication dove via network TCP/IP, only one infrared transreceiver to communicate with AGV.

Charging concept: The AGV has contacts on top, it goes to charge when there are no transports or when batteries are low.

This AGV system is working over one shift.

Number of AGVs: 1

AGV manufacturer: Rocla.

Function: AGV traffic controller development, order handling.

Year: 1996