Abstract: An automated guided vehicle system wherein a vehicle has an on-board motive power source utilized for driving the vehicle over untracked portions of its path of movement between work stations on an assembly line, the vehicle being guided over these path portions by guidance signals, and the vehicle is guided through the work stations by a track from which it derives motive power for driving the vehicle at higher speeds and power for replenishing storage battery means on-board the vehicle (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Abstract: Apparatus for holding a partly assembled vehicle body (13) includes a main framework structure (3) supported on two pairs of pillars (1), the structure being mounted about a horizontal pivot (5) on the rear pair of pillars for up and down pivotal movement. Mounted on the structure (3) are a pair of outwardly moveable inner frames (9) carrying clamps (11) which are isertable through the upper aperture(s) in the body (e.g. the space subsequently to be filled by the windscreens and/or roof panel), enabling the body to be clamped from inside to give free access to outside workers or robots (21). The frames may also carry dedicated tooling, such as a spot welder.

Abstract: In a method of building an automobile body separate upper and lower body modules (50, 78) are formed, incorporating the roof area and the floor area of the automobile respectively, precision mating locations (62) on the body modules are used first as reference for fitting interior parts and equipment to the respective modules and then for fitting the modules together. An assembly line for carrying out the method has respective sets of stations for forming operations on upper and lower body modules, a mating station (30) at which the two modules are brought together and a joining station (32) where they are, for example, welded. The leading station (20, 22) in each set determines a master body point (64, 82) on a module presented to it, and forms the mating locations (62) on the module with reference to the master body point.