AutoGuide, a mobile robot manufacturer, has launched the MAX-N10 tugger, featuring its SUREPATH natural feature navigation that requires no magnetic tape or RFID tags to guide its way safely through a facility. Priced to be one of the most affordable vehicles of its kind, AutoGuide has targeted a payback of one year or less for most applications.

“To meet market demands, we applied our 25 years of experience providing Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to demanding automotive plants to develop the most reliable and cost-effective natural feature guided vehicle in the industry,” said, Jim Bradshaw, president and CEO. “Our MAX N-10 is rugged enough to handle any environment regardless of lighting, congestion or constant change.”

AutoGuide’s SUREPATH natural feature system is easy and affordable to install or modify because it requires no physical guidepath system. Users simply drive a vehicle through the facility to map the environment and teach it the anticipated routes. The mapping data is automatically uploaded wirelessly to a SUREPATH PC where it can be modified and integrated for the precise operation including pick-drop points, intersection control, and the preferred routing logic.

The SUREPATH system controls traffic and monitors the status and exact location of each vehicle in real-time. It can also be connected to line-side pushbuttons, sensors and a WMS system for automatic dispatching functions. Routes are easily modified by simply drawing a different path on a central PC and sending it to the vehicles. To expand the system into other parts of the facility, just scan the new area with one of the vehicles and add the desired path.

MAX N-10 natural feature guidance system has been thoroughly tested and proven to be extremely accurate and reliable in both manufacturing and warehouse environments.  The vehicle travels up to four miles per hour (MPH) and performs precise reversing maneuvers to accommodate automatic trailer hitching and unhitching functions.

Other standard features include opportunity charging to keep the vehicles running 24/7, PLC/PC-based operating hardware, and a color touch screen monitor for quick and simple operator interface for the operators.

The MAX-N10 tugger, featuring SUREPATH natural feature navigation.

The MAX-N10’s modular design allows for different vehicle and load handling frame configurations to accommodate specific handling needs including man-aboard trail frame and tiller handle controls, straddle or counter balance fork attachments and various unit-load attachments such as conveyor and lift decks.

The new tugger is built in AutoGuide’s state-of-the-art assembly plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, allowing the vehicle to be delivered in weeks instead of months.