A table detailing the steps for loading and unloading pallets with A G V systems, remote drivers, and L over U L control.The table is organized into 57 sequential logistics activities into six columns: “No.”, “L”, “U L”, “Description of the activity”, “Type of function”, and “Performed by”. Row 1: Column 1: Blank. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: Pallets with finished goods are moved close to the outbound area by conveyors. While on the conveyors, the pallets are scanned, which creates a transport request for the A G V system to pick up the pallets. Steps 1 to 5 are performed throughout the day, and the outbound area is refilled as the truck moves finished goods to the warehouse. Column 5: Blank. Column 6: Blank. Row 2: Column 1: 1. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V system receives a transport request. Column 5: 1. Column 6: A G V system. Row 3: Column 1: 2. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V system evaluates the request and the available A G V s. Column 5: 2. Column 6: A G V system. Row 4: Column 1: 3. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V system selects the A G V to perform the transport. Column 5: 3. Column 6: A G V system. Row 5: Column 1: 4. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V stacks the pallets coming from the conveyor. Column 5: 4. Column 6: A G V system. Row 6: Column 1: 5. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V moves the stacked pallets coming from the conveyor. Column 5: 4. Column 6: A G V system. Row 7: Column 1: Blank. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: Steps 6 to 53 are performed in the same way at both the factory (i.e., loading) and the warehouse (i.e., unloading), except Steps 24 to 27, 32, and 38 to 41, which apply to loading only. Column 5: Blank. Column 6: Blank. Row 8: Column 1: 6. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: Once the truck arrives to the facility, the licence plate of the truck is scanned. Column 5: 1. Column 6: Gate control. Row 9: Column 1: 7. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The licence plate is verified. Column 5: 2. Column 6: Gate control. Row 10: Column 1: 8. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The gate control approves the opening of the gate. Column 5: 3. Column 6: Gate control. Row 11: Column 1: 9. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The gate is opened. Column 5: 4. Column 6: Gate control. Row 12: Column 1: 10. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: Information on the assigned loading bay for the delivery is made available to the autonomous truck, and the loading bay is monitored. Column 5: 1. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 13: Column 1: 11. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The autonomous truck verifies that the assigned loading bay is correct and unoccupied. Column 5: 2. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 14: Column 1: 12. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The correct loading bay of the two available bays is selected. Column 5: 3. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 15: Column 1: 13. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The truck is docked with the loading bay. Column 5: 4. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 16: Column 1: 14. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The outer door of the trailer is opened. Column 5: 4. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 17: Column 1: 15. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: Sensors at the loading bay collect data on the truck–loading bay alignment. Column 5: 1. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 18: Column 1: 16. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The truck–loading bay alignment is evaluated. Column 5: 2. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 19: Column 1: 17. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The L over U L control determines whether the alignment is sufficient. If insufficient, then a signal is sent to the autonomous truck to repeat Step 13. Column 5: 3. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 20: Column 1: 18. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: Once the truck has been correctly docked, a dock lip is placed between the loading bay and the truck. Column 5: 4. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 21: Column 1: 19. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The gate of the loading bay is opened. Column 5: 4. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 22: Column 1: 20. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The L over U L control receives sensor inputs from the dock lip and the gate of the loading bay. Column 5: 1. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 23: Column 1: 21. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The L over U L control verifies that Steps 19 and 20 have been completed. Column 5: 2. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 24: Column 1: 22. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The L over U L control determines that the truck is ready for L/UL. Column 5: 3. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 25: Column 1: 23. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The L over U L control sends a signal to the warehouse management system (W M S) that the truck is ready for loading (i.e., Steps 24 to 27). During unloading, the L over U L control sends a signal to the A G V system directly (i.e., Step 28). Column 5: 4. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 26: Column 1: 24. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The W M S checks the number of available pallets in the outbound lanes. Column 5: 1. Column 6: W M S. Row 27: Column 1: 25. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The W M S verifies that a threshold number of pallets are available for loading and evaluates the required loading pattern for the number of available pallets. Column 5: 2. Column 6: W M S. Row 28: Column 1: 26. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The W M S determines that loading should be performed. Column 5: 3. Column 6: W M S. Row 29: Column 1: 27. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The W M S sends a request to the A G V system with the loading pattern that the A G V system should achieve. Column 5: 4. Column 6: W M S. Row 30: Column 1: 28. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V system receives the request. Column 5: 1. Column 6: A G V system. Row 31: Column 1: 29. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V system evaluates the request and the available A G V s. Column 5: 2. Column 6: A G V system. Row 32: Column 1: 30. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V system determines the A G V to perform the L over U L. Column 5: 3. Column 6: A G V system. Row 33: Column 1: 31. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: An A G V is assigned to the L over U L. Column 5: 4. Column 6: A G V system. Row 34: Column 1: 32. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V scans each pallet (i.e., in loading only). Column 5: 4. Column 6: A G V system. Row 35: Column 1: 33. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V performs the L over U L. During loading, the pallets are placed to ensure that the load is secure by following the assigned loading pattern. Column 5: 4. Column 6: A G V system. Row 36: Column 1: 34. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V collects data on the number of pallets in the outbound lanes (i.e., loading) or the number of pallets on the truck (i.e., unloading). Column 5: 1. Column 6: A G V system. Row 37: Column 1: 35. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V verifies that there are no more pallets to move. Column 5: 2. Column 6: A G V system. Row 38: Column 1: 36. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The A G V determines that the L over U L is complete. Column 5: 3. Column 6: A G V system. Row 39: Column 1: 37. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: A signal is sent to the remote driver after loading. (Steps 38 to 41 are only needed when loading.) After unloading, the AGV system instead sends a signal to the L over U L control (i.e., Step 42), and the pallets are available at the warehouse (i.e., Steps 54 to 57). Column 5: 4. Column 6: A G V system. Row 40: Column 1: 38. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The remote driver receives the signal from the A G V system and monitors the load securing using camera feeds inside the cargo space. Column 5: 1. Column 6: Remote driver. Row 41: Column 1: 39. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The remote driver verifies that the cargo is secured. Column 5: 2. Column 6: Remote driver. Row 42: Column 1:40. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The remote driver determines that the loading is complete. Column 5: 3. Column 6: Remote driver. Row 43: Column 1: 41. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The remote driver sends a signal to the L over U L control that the truck is ready for departure. Column 5: 4. Column 6: Remote driver. Row 44: Column 1: 42. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The dock lip is disengaged. Column 5: 4. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 45: Column 1: 43. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The gate of the loading bay is closed. Column 5: 4. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 46: Column 1: 44. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The L over U L control receives sensor inputs from the dock lip and the gate of the loading bay. Column 5: 1. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 47: Column 1: 45. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The L over U L control verifies that Steps 42 and 43 have been completed. Column 5: 2. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 48: Column 1: 46. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The L over U L control determines that the truck is ready for departure. Column 5: 3. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 49: Column 1: 47. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The L over U L control sends a signal to the autonomous truck that it can depart. Column 5: 1. Column 6: L over U L control. Row 50: Column 1: 48. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The autonomous truck receives the signal from the L over U L control. Column 5: 1. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 51: Column 1: 49. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The signal is verified, and the autonomous truck ensures that there are no obstructions in front of the truck. Column 5: 2. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 52: Column 1: 50. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The autonomous truck decides to depart. Column 5: 3. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 53: Column 1: 51. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The truck doors are closed. Column 5: 4. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 54: Column 1: 52. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The autonomous truck undocks from the loading bay. Column 5: 4. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 55: Column 1: 53. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The transport to the warehouse or factory is commenced. The truck returns to Step 6. Column 5: 4. Column 6: Autonomous truck. Row 56: Column 1: 54. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The pallets are scanned in the inbound area. Column 5: 1. Column 6: Logistics operator at the warehouse. Row 57: Column 1: 55. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The storage location for the pallet is verified. Column 5: 2. Column 6: Logistics operator at the warehouse. Row 58: Column 1: 56. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The operator decides to move the pallet to the assigned location. Column 5: 3. Column 6: Logistics operator at the warehouse. Row 59: Column 1: 57. Column 2: Blank. Column 3: Blank. Column 4: The pallet is moved to the storage location. Column 5: 4. Column 6: Logistics operator at the warehouse. The note at the bottom of the table reads, “Note(s): Categorised according to the four types of functions described by (Parasuraman e t a l., 2000): (1) information acquisition, (2) information analysis, (3) decision and action selection, and (4) action implementation. The table presents the flow of pallets from the factory to the warehouse. The shaded columns represent activities performed in loading and slash or unloading, respectively.” |
