Robotic production assistants for working alongside the human operator

Abstract

DaimlerChrysler's research laboratory in Berlin has developed an autonomous forklift truck for automating materials handling operations. The first prototype is now in operation in one of the automaker's bodyshops. The next phase of the development program is to mount an intelligent robot arm on the AGV so that it can become a robotic production assistant capable of working both autonomously on the assembly line and in a cooperative mode with a human operator.