Siemens Netherlands and VDL are working together on the new generation of AGVs

This fall, Siemens Netherlands and VDL Automated Vehicles will launch the second generation of their automated logistics platform based on Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for industrial companies with mixed traffic on their sites. To strengthen this intensive collaboration, Dirk De Bilde, CEO Siemens Netherlands, Edwin Willems, Senior Vice President VDL Groep and Karel Smits, business unit manager at VDL Automated Vehicles signed a collaboration agreement.

The knowledge and experience of Siemens and VDL are combined to further develop the required infrastructures, such as energy and network, and a virtual simulation (the so-called digital twins) for the second generation of electric AGVs.

Applications

VDL has been building AGVs for use in port areas for years. They are deployed at the largest, most modern container terminals in the world. Since 2017, VDL has also focused on smaller AGVs for industrial companies with so-called ‘mixed traffic’ on their factory premises. This hybrid form of automated and non-automated transport is becoming increasingly relevant in the European market, due to its many application options.

Tightness on the labor market

With the second generation of AGVs, VDL and Siemens are responding even better to current challenges that companies face. The increasing tightness on the labor market and the shortage of drivers is one of them. The available drivers can carry out more ‘outbound’ transports, while an automatic vehicle – with an availability of 95% – can carry out trips on site. This also results in higher process stability and continuity.

Less damage with AGVs

Electric transport also helps companies to achieve their energy goals more easily, to become more sustainable and to reduce their CO2 emissions. The number of damages is also lower, as shown by previous pilots.

From drive to digital twins

Siemens supplies the complete drive, automation and digitalization, from the electric motors to the visualization software. The software consists of tested, certified building blocks that can be used for various functionalities in the vehicle. In addition, the company also provides the security solutions required within an automated system.

Simulation

The complete system is first built in a virtual environment. The logistics process is then simulated in this ‘digital twin’. For example, people walking around in the environment can be simulated, the speed of the vehicle can be increased to achieve a certain performance or charging stations can be added.

Eco-system thinking

Dirk De Bilde, CEO Siemens Netherlands: ‘We are pleased that we have confirmed the intensive collaboration with our partner VDL. The combination of both our expertise and the platform approach – eco-system thinking – can further accelerate innovations in the field of automated transport for industrial applications in half the time.’

New generation AGVs

Karel Smits, business unit manager VDL Automated Vehicles: ‘In recent years we have taken a look at each other’s kitchen and invested in each other. This has further improved the degree of automation of our solution and has enabled us to separate the wheat from the chaff in terms of functionality. Our new generation offers functionality that is truly relevant to customers. The state-of-the-art technology of this second generation of AGVs helps industrial companies to make logistics at their plants more sustainable, more efficient, safer and more reliable. We look forward to further developing this technology in close collaboration with Siemens in the coming years for successful, broad application in many sectors.’

Opening photo: The logistics concept has evolved from an automated means of transport to an integrated logistics solution, including charging stations and everything surrounding it (illustration: Siemens)

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