In warehouses and factories globally, the landscape of material handling is evolving with the advent of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Kollmorgen, a leader in automated vehicle solutions, has been at the forefront for over 50 years, and their NDC platform, utilized by over 90 AGV and AMR manufacturers worldwide, has been instrumental in streamlining logistics automation.

The emergence of 5G technology is set to usher in a new era of connectivity and performance for AGVs and AMRs. The collaboration between Ericsson Private 5G and Kollmorgen’s NDC Solutions offers numerous advantages, enhancing the efficiency of manufacturers and warehouses.

Key Benefits of 5G for AGVs and AMRs:

1. Strong, Stable, and Secure Connectivity: Tested on Ericsson Private 5G, Kollmorgen’s NDC Solutions provide seamless and reliable coverage, ensuring uninterrupted communication for fleets of AGVs and AMRs in large facilities.

2. Built to Scale: 5G’s scalability allows factories to expand their AGV fleets without concerns about network congestion, handling a large number of devices efficiently.

3. Predictable Performance and Latency: AGVs and AMRs can communicate swiftly and efficiently, even during heavy network use, thanks to 5G’s deterministic latency, ensuring smooth and predictable operations.

4. Traffic Prioritization: Ericsson Private 5G enables prioritization of specific communication types with Quality of Service (QoS), ensuring AGVs operate without interference from lower-priority applications.

5. Faster Data Transfer: With Ericsson Private 5G, AGV fleets benefit from faster data transfer speeds, lower latency, robustness, and improved reliability, potentially enhancing task efficiency.

Future Outlook with 5G-Enabled AGVs:

1. Increased Productivity: 5G empowers AGVs and AMRs to work faster and smarter, leading to heightened productivity in material handling operations.

2. Improved Efficiency: The reliability and stability of 5G networks reduce downtime, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of AGV operations.

3. Competitive Advantage: Staying competitive in the digital-driven economy is crucial, and 5G-powered AGVs and AMRs help businesses keep pace with technology trends, maintaining a competitive edge.

4. Better, Faster, Safer Operations: A facility controlling AGVs and AMRs using 5G achieves higher speeds and considers its environment more effectively, ensuring safer and more efficient operations.

The partnership between Ericsson and Kollmorgen, leveraging 5G technology and private networks, is reshaping the world of AGVs and AMRs in material handling. With enhanced connectivity, scalability, and predictability, these smart machines are set to perform tasks more efficiently than ever before. Embracing 5G-powered AGVs and AMRs positions manufacturers and warehouses to benefit from increased productivity, improved efficiency, and a competitive edge in the dynamic industrial landscape. As 5G technology continues to evolve, its critical role in driving innovation and transformation in material handling is undeniable.