On-Demand Route Generation for Powered Industrial Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large warehouses, managing powered industrial vehicles (PIVs) is challenging due to difficulties in tracking their location and distributing workload evenly, inefficient routing, and unpredictable workload spikes, leading to uneven utilization and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A networked PIV management system that includes a PIV analyzer module for determining optimal routes, a dispatch management module for selecting PIVs based on current location and operator status, and a surface visibility module for tracking cargo using barcode scanning, which also enables on-demand route creation and operator authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If PIVs are assigned regular delivery routes, then operators can efficiently complete deliveries, but workload distribution becomes uneven and some PIVs remain idle while others are overutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically assigns routes to PIVs based on real-time location data, current workload status, and operational needs. Instead of static regular routes, the dispatch system continuously adjusts route assignments to balance workload across the fleet while maintaining efficient delivery operations. This dynamic reassignment ensures that PIVs are utilized evenly without leaving any vehicle idle.
2Reliability
If experienced operators are prioritized for more assignments, then delivery quality improves, but less experienced operators become underutilized and morale decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor operator performance, PIV utilization rates, and delivery outcomes. This feedback is used to dynamically adjust route assignments, ensuring that experienced operators maintain high delivery quality while also providing opportunities for less experienced operators to take on assignments. The system balances quality requirements with equitable utilization through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If PIVs operate autonomously without centralized tracking, then operational flexibility increases, but location tracking becomes difficult and safety monitoring is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Each PIV is equipped with tracking capabilities that automatically report location and status data to the centralized system. The vehicles autonomously maintain their own operational data, including GPS location, battery status, and delivery completion information. This self-reporting mechanism enables centralized tracking and safety monitoring while preserving the operational flexibility and autonomy of individual PIVs in the field.
4Ease of operation
If manual route planning is used, then operators can adapt to local conditions, but routing inefficiencies increase and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intelligent dispatch intermediary that processes route planning by analyzing real-time data including traffic conditions, PIV locations, delivery priorities, and operator availability. This intermediary generates optimized routes that balance algorithmic efficiency with operational practicality, providing adaptability to local conditions while eliminating manual planning inefficiencies. The intermediary acts as a mediator between automated optimization and human operational knowledge.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for creating in a facility on-demand routes for powered industrial vehicles to transport cargo efficiently. In one embodiment, an on-demand route generation module receives receiving a request to move cargo. The module analyzes data about the current location, the current tasking, and the driver availability of PIVs in operation. Based on the information, the module creates an on-demand route through the facility and sends a notification to an assigned PIV to pick up the cargo and carry it on the defined on-demand route.