2014
The One Level Shuttle AS-RS (OLS) is a highly efficient Automated Storage and Retrieval System designed for expedited handling of cartons, totes, and trays in high transaction environments.
http://www.invata.com/warehouse-automation/automated-storage-and-retrieval-systems-asrs/shuttle-asrs/
Material Handling Solutions: A look into AutomatedRobotics
2010 paper
This paper looks at two automated material handling solutions: Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs).
The first step in automating material handling occurred in the 1950s with the implementation of Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS). AGVS are defined as battery-driven industrial trucks with contactless steering (Müller, 1983). These trucks operate by following a guided system to transport materials throughout a facility.
AMRs use computer-based vision systems to navigate through their environment.The idea behind vision guided robots is that they understand where there are and where they need to be. AMRs can come in the same designs as AGVs, and are suitable for any distributing or manufacturing environment. They have clear advantages over AGVS because:
• AMRs do not require guide paths
• AMRs store the layout of the facility
• AMRs can be assigned tasks similarly to AGV
• AMRs can be effective in small numbers
• AMRs with manipulator arms can perform virtually any task.
The Cost Benefit analysis is given in the paper
http://tc.engr.wisc.edu/files/2013/02/Davich2010.pdf
