The introduction of service robots AGVs (automatic guided vehicles) into manufacturing processes is one of the more important qualitative shifts in the automation of transport operations in the manufacturing, assembly lines, as well as storages. Given the large number of applications, service robots in logistics offer a wide range of different technical and exploitative solutions. Service robots AGVs are primarily used for the realization of internal transport processes. Service logistics robots in the manufacturing processes have a very large estimate of the significance of factors when it comes to physical labour reduction. The investment in installing service robots is amortized much faster provided that the service robots work 24 hours a day. The investment in service robots for logistics is repaid within 2-3 years, and such a system works for about 15 years, operating costs are around 2-4 % annual investment, operation availability is approximately 98.5 %, a high productivity, optimized costs and processing time. This paper presents the annual application of service robots in logistics, as well as applications of AGVs service robots with different structures in the manufacturing processes, in confined areas and open spaces, such as shipping containers in ports.

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From the very knowledge of Industry 4.0, its implementation is carried out in all segments of society, but we still do not fully understand the breadth and speed of its implementation. We are currently witnessing major changes in all industries, so new business methods are emerging. There is a transformation of production systems, a new form of consumption, delivery, and transportation, all thanks to the implementation of new technological discoveries that cover robotics and automation, the internet of things (IoT), 3D printers, smart sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID), etc. Robotic technology is one of the most important technologies in Industry 4.0, so that the robot application in the automation of production processes with the support of information technology brings us to smart automation (i.e., smart factories). The changes are so deep that, from the perspective of human history, there has never been a time of greater promise or potential danger.

In the world of global competition, customers have increasing demands that companies must meet in order to remain active in the global market. For this reason, it is necessary to use new technologies in the production processes, i.e. to implement Industry 4.0. In other words, we need to create a connected company through the digital transformation that enables production processes to discover new ways to increase productivity and improve overall business performance. Companies need to get involved and start a digital system, and from supplier to customer. It is a key to the hidden value that can contribute to the company’s productivity, compliance, profitability, as well as the quality of the finished product, and eventually the introduction of flexible industrial automation of production processes. The aforementioned technologies and Internet of Things connect the physical and virtual world with a purpose to better collect and analyze data, transforming them into information that reaches decision-makers. To do this, it is necessary to implement smart sensors that provide information at all times. The implementation of Industry 4.0 in production processes is unthinkable without smart sensors and provides the following: faster product development time, lower overall costs, improved use of production processes and their optimization, as well as company risk management. The paper will outline the motives for the implementation of smart sensors and applications of smart sensors in production processes. Keywords: production process, smart sensor, Industry 4.0, production automation, digital transformation, flexible automation.

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