Control of Multi-Wheel Driving and Steering of Electric AGV

Abstract Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MES) has developed an automated guided vehicle (AGV) for heavy loads with a hydraulic drive system. Furthermore, MES has developed a multi-wheel driving and steering electric AGV (MWE-AGV). It has high traveling flexibility and can also be used in narrow sites, such as steel factories. The MWE-AGV consists of two or more independent wheel units called standardized units. The MWE-AGV can perform steering unrealizable by ordinary vehicles. In order to perform stable traveling, four wheels need to be synchronized. This paper describes the multi-wheel driving and steering system with computer control and the results of the traveling tests.