Human considerations of AGV utilisation in multi-product batch manufacture

The use of AGV´s in batch manufacturing requires extensive changes to the job design of employees, to individual areas of responsibility and to the organisational structure. Due to the importance of the man/machine interfaces, co-operation of employees is essential, and any erroneous attitude by senior management, who might aim at investment justification by labour replacement will cause industrial relations problems. Without co-operation, AGV investment will not attain the desired benefits and may become a bad investment. In addition, senior management need to realise the extent of changes required in the factory and other departments in the company