Development of a Micro Drive-Under Tractor - Research and Application

—The in-plant transport of goods is increasingly becoming automated. All reasons that argue for automation result in a better cost effectiveness. An extended percentage of the load units are lightweight and small goods that often occur either as single parts or as several articles in multiple small load carriers. Modern logistics concepts demand an efficient transport and the delivery within the intended time. To reduce the covered distance a flexible adjustment of the load capacity to single or accumulated transport is beneficial so that the vehicle can carry the required amount of goods without being oversized. To fulfill these specifications the paper at hand presents the development and realization of a new type of Automated Guided Vehicle that is optimized for the transportation of small goods [1]. The construction is carried out as an omnidirectional drive-under tractor in compact dimensions. The main purpose of the vehicle is the automated towing of trailers. Additionally the transport of single small load carriers can be accomplished by using a lifting table. Therefore it is for the first possible time to use a towing and carrying vehicle with a variable load capacity. For the drive system Mecanum wheels are used to enable omnidirectional maneuverability.