Exploiting the technological capabilities of autonomous vehicles as assembly items to improve assembly performance

The automotive industry is on the brink of transitioning to autonomous vehicles (AVs). This will require highly flexible assembly systems. This paper focuses on exploiting the capabilities of the technology base, e.g., sensors and image recognition, of AVs as assembly items and employing their self-driving function in assembly systems. This fundamentally new approach to matrix manufacturing systems based on autonomously navigating automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and the elimination of set assembly sequences is a growing topic of discussion. This study develops a conceptual framework, based on a systematic literature review and interviews with fifteen experts from three carmakers, for exploring the field of research and assessing the feasibility of employing the technology base of autonomous driving instead of AGVs. This study is intended for assembly planners and researchers of assembly systems in automotive manufacturing.