Mobile robots for internal material transport - new version of VDA 5050 published

The Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association have published an update to VDA 5050. Version 2.1.0 integrates internal material transport with various mobile robots and a control system. Using the open interface protocol, the commissioning and operation of heterogeneous fleets in parallel operation can be implemented flexibly and as required. VDA 5050 standardizes the communication between the control system and the vehicles.

A significant change compared to the previous version 2.0.0 is the introduction of corridors for mobile robots in which they can freely avoid obstacles etc. Vehicles with a higher degree of autonomy can thus make better use of their navigation options. In addition, the illustrations contained in the document have been revised for easier and better understanding and various minor ambiguities have been eliminated. For the first time, VDA 5050 is being published exclusively in English. The version is backwards compatible with 2.0.0.

The VDA 5050 is publicly available in a GitHub repository. Associated software elements can also be downloaded there. In the discussion forum, users can provide their feedback, which is regularly reviewed and discussed by the VDA 5050 core team and thus incorporated into further development.

Consistent further development

Since the first version of the interface protocol was published in 2019, intralogistics providers and users, especially from the automotive and supplier industries, have been working intensively on the further development and optimization of VDA 5050. The joint working group of VDA and VDMA, which is supported by the Institute for Materials Handling and Logistics Systems (IFL) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), regularly discusses which extensions and adjustments to the interface would be desirable. The properties of mobile robots with greater autonomy are playing an increasingly important role in the future design of VDA 5050.

VDA Managing Director Marcus Bollig: "As the 'conductor of the factory halls', the VDA 5050 interface is a driver for competition and competitiveness. With the update to VDA 2.1.0 now published, it continues to be a pioneer on the path to the automation of factory halls and a driver for more efficient processes, greater safety and the sustainable implementation of Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) systems."

Sascha Schmel, Managing Director of the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association: "The VDA 5050 has been continuously developed over the last five years based on specific market needs and project experience. This bottom-up approach will of course remain the credo in the future. The VDA 5050 changes with the technical capabilities of the vehicles as well as with the internal transport processes of the user industries."

Andreas Steiner, Head of Industrialization Logistics Innovations and Logistics Planning for the BMW Group plants in Dingolfing and Debrecen: "The BMW Group has played an active role since the project group was founded to develop the VDA 5050. This is particularly evident in the fact that it has chaired the working group for several years. The results flow directly into the further development of the BMW Group's logistics. In addition to existing integrations of various transport robot types from different manufacturers based on the VDA 5050, other AGVs are currently being integrated at BMW. The use of the VDA 5050 is a mandatory requirement. The use of the VDA 5050 enables the BMW Group to integrate new AGV types much faster, with less risk and at a lower cost. The current publication represents another important milestone on the way to a fully comprehensive VDA 5050."  

Tim Menapace - Software Architect in Operations IT at Schaeffler: "The VDA 5050 enables the Schaeffler Group to always benefit from the latest innovations in the field of intralogistics, regardless of the manufacturer. With the latest version 2.1.0, the standard takes another step forward and enables better use of autonomous vehicle functionalities. As a global automotive and industrial supplier, the Schaeffler Group always strives to use and contribute to innovative standards. The VDA 5050 therefore also has full support from Schaeffler."

VDA 5050 version 2.1.0 is available to interested users in English on the VDA website.

 

Project contacts

Verband der Automobilindustrie e. V.

Jenny Hertzfeldt
EDI/Supply chain digitization expert
Production, Logistics and Aftermarket Department
Phone: +49 30 897842 225
E-Mail: jenny.hertzfeldt@vda.de

Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbauer e. V.

Juliane Kluge
Communication in the Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association
Phone: +49 69 6603 1508
E-Mail: juliane.kluge@vdma.org