Driverless transport systems (AGVs) have been a central component of production and warehouse logistics in industry for years. They handle material transport with precision and reliability – around the clock. Although the systems are highly automated, human-machine communication is still required, for example for maintenance, troubleshooting and to ensure the control of the automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Stationary or wired operating systems are usually used for this purpose. Although these are robust and reliable, their application is very limited and they have significant disadvantages compared to a mobile and wireless operating system.

With the TÜV-certified M2Smart HMI operating system, the ACD Group from Achstetten has now launched a touch-based, mobile and wireless system that has also been developed for the safe operation of AGVs. In contrast to operating AGVs with conventional methods such as control buttons on the vehicle or wired remote controls, the M2Smart HMI operating system from ACD offers several significant advantages. By using a wireless HMI, work with any AGV in a fleet can be started quickly and easily. Especially in large and dynamic environments, a mobile HMI saves considerable time and prevents costly delays. In particular, in the event of problem reports or malfunctions, the responsible operator can use the M2Smart HMI to quickly locate the relevant AGV, evaluate the situation directly on site and, in the best case, quickly and efficiently rectify the problem or malfunction directly on the vehicle. Another advantage that wireless operating systems have over wired systems when it comes to controlling AGVs is that the user can control all AGVs in a fleet with just one operating device, provided they are equipped with the necessary technology. Furthermore, AGVs in production facilities are often equipped with additional devices such as lifting systems or clamping devices. Thanks to the purely touch-based operating concept, the devices from Upper Swabia offer a high degree of flexibility in the design of the user interfaces, enabling the flexible mapping of all necessary operating functions.

The M2Smart HMI is quickly and easily connected via NFC tag to a gateway connected to the AGV control system, the M2Smart Gateway. The NFC tag can be attached to different locations on the AGV, allowing the user to establish the connection between the HMI and the AGV quickly, ergonomically and efficiently. This connection method also allows the employee to switch between different AGVs with minimal effort. This enables them to quickly operate and monitor several vehicles in quick succession. To ensure data security, the M2Smart HMI system transmits data wirelessly via two different channels. Safety-relevant data is transmitted via BT short-range radio secured by a black channel. This ensures data security even during mobile data transmission and achieves performance level d. Non-safety-relevant data, for example for visualisation via browser, app or web app, can be transmitted via two different radio links in the M2Smart HMI system. Either via BT short-range radio or via a WLAN network. An existing WLAN can be used for this purpose, or alternatively the M2Smart HMI access points, which are attached to the vehicles and ensure a permanently stable connection. The ability to use both BT short-range radio and WLAN for the transmission of non-safety-related data means that the M2Smart HMI remains maximally flexible and can be used in almost any working environment, especially in automotive manufacturing or for controlling robots.

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