A simulation based approach for supporting Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) systems design

Automated guided vehicle (AGV) logistic handling system are widely adopted when high transportation capacity and quality of service are the most important characteristics to reach. A large number of mathematical approaches have been developed in years to address AGV systems design and control. Nevertheless, proper performance estimations have to consider the peculiar aspects of the real environment in which the AGV system operates. A simple and effective approach to the stochastic features modelling is the discrete event simulation of the real system. This paper presents a conceptual approach that lead the analyst to set up consistent simulative models to address AGV systems design and performance estimation when applications in end-of-line logistics are considered.