Design and Implementation of an Andon Light Based Audio Visual Warning System for Detecting Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) Arrival in the Goods Receiving Area

Abstract

The use of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) in intralogistics can improve material delivery efficiency. However, the absence of operators from the receiving area may delay the Goods Receipt (GR) process and increase AMR waiting time. This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate an Andon Light-based audio-visual warning system for detecting AMR arrivals. The system employs a Moxa ioLogik E1212 as a digital I/O device to activate the Andon Light and buzzer. Three control architectures—RDS Core–Moxa I/O, Robot Dispatching System (RDS), and Warehouse Execution System (WES)—were evaluated through functional testing, architecture comparison, and analysis of the alarm’s effect on GR processing time. The results demonstrate that all three architectures successfully performed the system’s primary functions. The WES architecture was identified as the most suitable because alarm control and AMR mission continuation were determined by the actual GR status through operator confirmation. When the Moxa I/O connection was interrupted, the WES architecture could continue the GR process and AMR mission, whereas the RDS Core and RDS architecture had to wait until the connection was restored. The implementation of Andon Light reduced operator response time by 62.7% (from 221.65 to 82.75 seconds), GR duration by 12.1% (from 71.50 to 62.85 seconds), and AMR waiting time by 48.4% (from 314.35 to 162.25 seconds).