Designing Efficient Material Handling Systems Via Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

Abstract

The designing of an efficient warehouse management system is a key factor to improve productivity and reduce costs. The use of Automated Guided Vehicles (AVGs) in Material Handling Systems (MHS) and Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) can help to that purpose. This paper is intended to provide insight regarding the technical and financial suitability of the implementation of a fleet of AGVs. This is carried out by means of a fuzzy set/qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) by measuring the level of satisfaction of managerial decision makers.

Keywords

• Fuzzy sets
• qualitative comparative analysis
• autonomous guided vehicles
• conflict resolution
• decision-making
• material handling systems
• flexible manufacturing systems