News

Manual operation of automated guided vehicles
– wireless, safe and secure with the M2Smart® HMI10!

When it comes to automated guided vehicles, the AGV Conference in Dortmund is the central meeting point for experts from the GSA (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) region. Potential operators and manufacturers of AGVs, a large number of intralogistics experts and representatives from a wide range of research institutions meet here. This year’s AGV conference will take place on September 25th and ACD Elektronik will be exhibiting at the accompanying trade exhibition.

Our M2Smart® HMI10 is the perfect operating device for manual operation of automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Thanks to its mobility and the absence of a cable, it is a cinch to access the individual AGVs directly on site, even outside the centralised, automated control system. Thanks to simple pairing via NFC, our M2Smart® HMI10 can be connected to the M2Smart® Gateway, which is connected to the vehicle, and the AGV can be operated in just a few moments. The wireless transmission of data between the AGV and the HMI via radio and the elimination of a cable results in a high number of advantages for the user. For example, establishing the connection is much easier because the NFC tag can be attached anywhere on the vehicle. This eliminates the hassle of connecting a cable and makes work on the AGV much faster, more ergonomic and more efficient. Another significant advantage of using a wireless system over a wired system is that the user can move freely when operating the AGV manually and is not restricted by a cable. This increases the safety of the operator and enables a completely new type of manual control. The user can position themselves optimally next to the vehicle and always has an overview of what is happening and any dangerous situations that may arise. Since it is quite possible when operating AGVs manually that the user will hold the HMI in their hand for a long period of time or move around with it, operating several vehicles in succession, particular attention was paid to the ergonomics of the control units when designing the M2Smart® HMI10. Equipped with a handle suitable for both right- and left-handers, including an enabling switch, the M2Smart® HMI10 lies perfectly in the hand and the HMI does not rest on the wrist, but lies comfortably on the forearm.

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Another topic that is at the forefront of AGV development is data security. In the ACD Elektronik HMI system, data is transmitted between the M2Smart® HMI10 control unit and the M2Smart® Gateway connected to the AGV via two different radio links. The transmission of safety-related data is done via a Bluetooth. By securing this connection using the black channel method, data security can be guaranteed even with mobile data transmission and a performance level d can be achieved. The non-safety-related data, for example for visualization via browser, app or web app, can be transmitted via two different paths in the HMI system of ACD Elektronik. Either also via Bluetooth, or via a WLAN network. In this case, an already existing WLAN can be used or, alternatively, the M2Smart® HMI Access Points, which are attached to the vehicles and ensure a permanently stable connection. The option of using either Bluetooth or WLAN to transfer non-safety-related data means that the M2Smart® HMI remains as flexible as possible and can be used in almost any working environment. To ensure that the mobile operating device meets industrial safety standards, it is of course equipped with an illuminated emergency stop button.

Visit us at our exhibitor stand at the AGV Conference in Dortmund and find out all about our M2Smart® HMI system for the safe and secure operation of machines, systems and AGVs.