Rail-guided vehicles (RGVs) are indispensable to modern manufacturing. Here’s how advanced automation further powers up their performance.


RGVs have a long history with major industries such as mining, manufacturing, and logistics. Today, these hardworking carts are not only motorized, but they are smart as well.

RGVs are vital to industries that require heavy lifting and transport of materials from one point to the next. 

We’re seeing automation rule every part of business operations, and the tactile, repetitive, and most often hazardous transport of various machine parts and components calls for a smart system capable of handling and moving heavy and/or sensitive parts from one part of a factory to another without needing a human driver. 

(Also Read: Would You Trust a RoboTaxi?)

Tech journalist Godrej Koerber calls RGVs “little powerhouses” that are the “unsung heroes of the industrial world”. RGVs are a must when it comes to modern intelligent logistics. Large warehouses holding massive palettes need RGVs to run smoothly. 

There are five main ways RGVs are essential to industries:

• They keep things moving without needing human interference. Smart GVs can be programmed to follow specific and complex paths. Wherever the rails go, they go. 
• RGVs are smart transporters. Equipped with sensors, RGVs move at pre-programmed speeds. Their movement is like clockwork, so they keep operations efficient. 
• RGVs are flexible. Their tasks and paths can be modified or re-programmed depending on the requirements of the factory or warehouse. 
• RGVs reduce downtime. Transport of materials and goods is uninterrupted even when with scheduled maintenance or sudden breakdowns within the warehouse. 
• RGVs increase agility by keeping operations moving at a steady clip. 

Because of its indispensability, the market size for RGVs is growing. According to market research analysts, the market for RGVs is set for growth until the year 2030. Drivers of the market point towards the ballooning demand in industries for automated material handling solutions in sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare. 

Other factors that lend themselves to this growth are reduced labor costs, efficiency, and added safety for employees in materials transport processes. Market analyst Ashok Bade cites technological advancements, the integration of sensors, and automation systems as key contributors to the RGV market expansion. 

RGV market analysis projects North America to occupy a major share of the RGV market. 

Currently, the leading players in the RGV market are companies such as Daifuku, Siasun, Muratec, Fori Automation, Mectra, and Skilled Robots. 

Equipping RGVs with Wifi for EV Battery Manufacturing

An area poised for growth and innovation for RGVs is EV battery manufacturing. Here, RGVs are optimized to handle more sensitive material in the assembly of EV batteries. 

A recent development reported by The Manufacturer sees RGVs in EV battery factories being equipped with WiFi. In these scenarios, RGVs are utilized to make battery cell handling more efficient.  According to the same report, incorporating RGVs can be easily integrated with other logistics systems, such as outbound/inbound stations, buffer stations, conveyors, elevators, and robots. 

Fast roaming capabilities ensure stable network coverage for the RGVs, which means seamless connectivity and communication as the RVGs” move across the WiFi network”. 

The main provider of these wireless capabilities is Advantech, specifically with the EKI-1361 WiFi clients and EKI-633AC-2G WiFi access points as key components. 

The Manufacturer says that the RGVs can be operated via tablets. Scheduling production orders can now be done wirelessly, as well as designating RGVs to various stations.

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