Zone
Definition: What is a Zone?
Material handling facilities use zones to control traffic, especially in situations where there are more than one automatic guidance vehicles (AGV) in operation. There are several ways to help control the traffic, both within and between the zones. They include zone control, forward sensing control, and combination control.
Zone control is the most popular method. It is simple to install and expand. It uses a wireless transmitter that sends signals to and within their assigned areas. Sensing device, installed on each AGV, receives these signals and responds to them. Different systems of zone control allow operators to equip each individual robot with its own small transmitter/receiver. The individual AGV then informs other similar machines of its position.