In order to advance automated guided vehicle(AGV) control, a variable structure AGV control method based on genetic algorithm(GA) was proposed. Parameters, which were determined previously in the conventional reaching law, were regulated adaptively by GA.It is shown that all advantages of conventional reaching law are retained, meanwhile the control features of the control system are improved effectively. System can move perfectly on the sliding-mode surface. Theoretic analysis and experiment results prove the validity of the method. 