Wireless controller for automated guided vehicle (AGV) system

• Main Author: Pang, Kai Xuan
• Other Authors: Jong Ching Chuen
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2020
• Subjects: Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Industrial electronics
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/140524
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Industrial automation has been the one of the most transformative development in the recent years. The efficiency and productivity boost that industrial automation claims have gained a handful of audience. However, the expensive price tag of the technology has hindered wider adoption in the industry. Therefore, this project aims to design and fabricate an automated AGV control system featuring low cost, user-friendly and open source based. This project utilizes open source microcontroller Arduino Mega to perform logical operations of the system, instead of conventional PLCs. Wi-Fi function is implemented for the controller to support wireless communication and prepare for future expansion of industrial IoT usage. The first stage of the project involves the conceptual design of the functions and requirements of the machines incorporated in the system. These include an AGV, three AGV Stations and an AGV Traffic Controller. Next, components such as sensors, valves, relays, etc. is chosen based on the technical requirements. Then, the program to control the operation of the whole system is designed by utilizing C/C++ programming with Arduino IDE. Finally, the designed system is setup at the factory. The completed setup proved the concept above. The implementation of open source technology increased the accessibility of industrial automation. This growing sector absolutely worth more attention from both academic and the industry.