Reliability Modelling of Automated Guided Vehicles by the Use of Failure Modes Effects and Criticality Analysis, and Fault Tree Analysis

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are being increasingly used for intelligent transportation and distribution of materials in warehouses and auto-production lines. In this paper, a preliminary hazard analysis of an AGV’s critical components is conducted by the approach of Failure Modes Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA). To implement this research, a particular AGV transport system is modelled as a phased mission. Then, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is adopted to model the causes of phase failure, enabling the probability of success in each phase and hence mission success to be determined. Through this research, a promising technical approach is established, which allows the identification of the critical AGV components and crucial mission phases of AGVs at the design stage. 1998 ACM Subject Classification B.8 Performance and Reliability