Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Safety: A Key Issue at the Heart of Intralogistics Solutions
AGV safety in modern warehouses is a critical topic in today’s intralogistics landscape, particularly because these autonomous vehicles operate in shared spaces alongside warehouse personnel. This coexistence demands the highest safety standards and strict regulatory compliance.
At Alstef Group, ensuring safe and efficient operations is central to our approach. Our AGV solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate automation with robust safety protocols and regulatory requirements.
Safe, High-Performance, and Compliant AGVs
AGVs operate in dynamic and complex industrial environments. They transport heavy loads at speeds of up to 2 m/s and often share space with human operators. This makes the safety of autonomous vehicles in warehouses absolutely essential.
At Alstef Group, this requirement is built into the system design from the outset. Each solution is engineered to optimize performance while minimizing risk.
In addition, a customized risk analysis is carried out for each project. It takes into account the type of load, logistical flows, human interactions, and the specific characteristics of the site.
International Standards and ISO 3691-4: An Essential Compass
Safety standards are not technical constraints, but essential benchmarks that ensure the reliability and robustness of AGVs in real-world conditions.
They govern key aspects such as:
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obstacle and person detection systems,
- maximum authorized speed according to the environment,
- emergency stop mechanisms,
- man-machine interfaces.
For over 10 years, Alstef Group has actively contributed to international standards committees. We notably participated in drafting the ISO 3691-4 standard, which defines safety requirements and performance level for driverless industrial trucks. This involvement allows us to stay at the forefront of regulatory developments and ensure that our AGVs comply with the strictest standards.
Additionally, for the North American market, compliance with the UL 583 standard is a concrete example of rigorous requirements. Recognized in the United States, this standard outlines electrical, mechanical, and functional safety criteria for automated vehicles, further enhancing equipment reliability in demanding industrial environments.
" AGV safety is not just about regulatory compliance. It starts at the design stage and is validated in the field, in direct response to our customers’ operational constraints."
— Matthieu Crosnier, Intralogistics Sales Director, Alstef Group
The goal is twofold: to protect people and assets, while ensuring smooth and sustainable on-site automation deployment.
Field Testing on site
Before each commissioning, AGVs undergo real-world condition testing. These checks are essential to fine-tune safety parameters according to the customer’s specific environment (negative temperature, type of floor...)
This phase allows for precise adjustment of AGV behavior: safety distance, braking distance...
In this way, the safety of logistics robots is fully controlled—without compromising the smooth flow of operations.
This approach enables a gradual, safe, and reassuring start-up for on-site teams. It also fosters operator buy-in for automated systems.
A Strategic Challenge for the Supply Chain
Automation is rapidly advancing in warehouses. In this context, expectations for AGVs continue to evolve. It is no longer enough to simply move loads; systems must now integrate smoothly and sustainably into the existing logistics environment.
At Alstef Group, AGV safety is at the heart of every project. By placing it on equal footing with performance and flexibility, the company supports its clients with reliable, scalable, and easy-to-maintain installations.
If you’re interested in learning more about safety in other areas of intralogistics, check out our dedicated content on conveyor safety.