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NAMED ‘2012 GOOD DESIGN BEST 100’
IRVINE, Calif. – Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) announced that its Automated Guided Container Transport System has been selected for the 2012 Good Design Best 100, the world’s most prestigious global awards recognizing new product design.
The Good Design Awards, established by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP), recognize designs that positively impact lifestyle, industry and society in general. The awards showcase designs that are both effective in form and function. Toyota’s Automated Guided Container Transport System was selected from a pool of 3,000 global entries and honored for its new design that fuses hardware and software elements. According to one judge’s comment, “The Automated Guided Container Transport System is a perfect example of fusing the design of a physical object with the design of a social system (structure).” As an award finalist, Toyota’s design is a candidate for the “Gold” Award which will be announced on November 25.
Toyota’s AGV History
Toyota began importing AGVs to the U.S. in early 2007. With more than 20years experience in the Asian market, there are more than 5,000 Toyota AGVs in operation in the world today. In North America, Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) offers AGVs with capacities ranging from 250-to 10,000-pounds, which are designed for small and large loads and ideal for companies looking to increase handling volume without increasing operational staff. TMHU offers a variety of AGV products including the customizable L-cart AGV and the Tug-Cart Mouse. Toyota’s system features multiple path programming, retractable towing pin, remote communication, and multiple safety items including optical sensors that can be programmed for different zones to allow safe operation near pedestrians and in confined spaces. Toyota AGVs follow a self-adhesive magnetic tape, which makes setup simple and requires no floor modifications.