Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
AI TechDocKnowledge

Glossary · Motion control and drives

Driverless transport system (DTS)

Also known as: Automated guided vehicle system, AGV system

German: Fahrerloses Transportsystem (FTS)

In intralogistics, a driverless transport system (DTS) is a system of automated guided vehicles, their navigation and guidance infrastructure, a fleet control system and the interfaces to the plant, which moves materials without a driver. ISO 3691-4 sets safety requirements for driverless industrial trucks and their systems.

  • Motion control
  • Standards

In one sentence

A driverless transport system moves materials with automated guided vehicles, navigation and fleet control, without a human driver.

Example

In an automotive plant, a driverless transport system brings engine assemblies from the pre-assembly line to the main line on demand.

How it applies

  • Engineering: A DTS combines vehicles, navigation (for example contour, reflector or magnetic guidance), a fleet manager and interfaces to conveyors, doors and the MES. Vendor-neutral interfaces such as VDA 5050 are used between fleet control and vehicles.
  • Commissioning: Routes, zones, speeds and protective fields of the Safety laser scanners are configured and verified on site, including interaction with people and other traffic.
  • Operation: Operating areas, travel paths and restricted zones must be marked and kept clear.
  • Documentation: The operating instructions must cover the operating zones, marking of paths, behavior of people near vehicles, and the user's responsibilities for the environment. Keep vehicle documentation and system documentation consistent; a vehicle that meets ISO 3691-4 does not by itself make the whole installation safe.

DTS vs. AGV

An Automated guided vehicle (AGV) is a single vehicle. A DTS is the whole system, including fleet control, infrastructure and interfaces.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 26, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: ISO 3691-4:2020, Industrial trucks — Safety requirements and verification — Part 4: Driverless industrial trucks and their systems

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Knowledge and are not part of any standard.

Seen a mistake? Send us a note!