Mobile Robots vs. Guided Vehicles

So, what are the differences between AGVs and AMRs, and why care?

Automation is altering the way businesses operate, especially in warehousing and manufacturing. Two predominant actors in this rapid tech transformation are Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). Yes, both technologies are designed to improve efficiency and reduce labor costs, but they serve very distinct functions and applications. Your early planning team should include an unbiased subject matter expert who can guide your selection and procurement process with your long-term business goals and project objectives as the priority.

Understanding how AMRs and AGVs differ is critical when choosing the right solution for your operations. Cost should not be confused with value when analyzing options since the solutions are not interchangeable and mistakes are very expensive in terms of price, efficiencies, and downtime.

There are six key factors you need to compare and contrast when deciding which tech to utilize. Below, we examine each system's strengths and limitations. In the table at the bottom, we summarize which system has the advantage for each factor.

(Spoiler Alert: #1 affects and plays into all others).

1. Navigation and Movement

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

AGVs operate on predefined paths to navigate within a facility. These paths are typically established using physical guides like magnetic strips, wires, or tracks embedded in the floor or, sometimes, reflective tape or sensors along the walls.

Strengths:

• Reliable and straightforward.

• Excel in environments with consistent workflows and little variability.

Limitations:

• Cannot deviate from their fixed routes.

• If an obstacle blocks the path, the AGV stops and waits for human intervention.

Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs)

AMRs, in contrast, use advanced sensors, cameras, and onboard processors to map and dynamically navigate their environment in real time. They use technologies like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) to make real-time navigation decisions.

Strengths:

• AMRs can dynamically reroute around obstacles and optimize their path on the fly, making them ideal for complex, changing environments.

Limitations:

• Can be more expensive upfront.

• Requires a reliable wireless network for seamless operation.

2. Flexibility and Adaptability

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

AGVs are designed for structured environments, such as manufacturing assembly lines or a warehouse with set processes.

Strengths:

• Best suited for repetitive tasks, such as moving goods along fixed routes between specific points.

Limitations:

• Changes to their paths require physical adjustments to the guide mapping, making them less adaptable to changing layouts or workflows.

Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs)

AMRs thrive in dynamic environments, providing a distinct advantage over AGVs where flexibility is the goal.

Strengths:

• Greater flexibility:
• • Adapts to changes in facility layouts without physical alterations.
  • Operators can reprogram AMRs via software to handle new tasks or routes.

Limitations:

• Flexibility incorporating AMRs into operations with other equipment, humans, or legacy systems can be complex and may require customized solutions.

3. Intelligence and Autonomy

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

While AGVs certainly have strengths, Intelligence and Autonomy are not among them. AGVs have definite disadvantages compared to AMRs when it comes to smart, independent operation.

Strengths:

• None

Limitations:

• AGVs have limited intelligence.

• They operate based on pre-programmed commands and are unable to make decisions beyond their assigned tasks.

Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs)

Strengths:

• AMRs are usually equipped with onboard artificial intelligence (AI), enabling them to:

  • Analyze their surroundings.
  • Learn from experience.
  • Optimize operations.

Limitations:

• • • None

4. Cost and Maintenance

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

Strengths:

• Lower initial costs due to their simpler design and technology.

Limitations:

• Costs can increase if frequent changes to facility layout or processes require reinstallation of guiding infrastructure.

• Maintenance is straightforward but involves downtime for path adjustments.

(Note: Initial costs are not necessarily equivalent to best value – seek guidance from your automation partner to perform an analysis of projected ROI).

Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs)

Strengths:

• Lower long-term costs in dynamic environments because they don’t require physical path installations.

• Their software-based adaptability reduces operational interruptions.

Limitations:

• Higher upfront costs due to their advanced technology.

5. Scalability

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

Strengths:

• If the operational mapping can handle additional traffic and throughput, additional AGVs can be added to an existing system with relative ease, creating a scaled operation.

Limitations:

• Expanding AGV operations that need additional throughput capabilities but suffer from congestion will require significant investment in infrastructure changes, making scalability more challenging in dynamic settings.

Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs)

Strengths:

• Fundamentally scalable. Adding more robots or adjusting their tasks can be done through software updates, making them ideal for growing operations.

Limitations:

• As more robots are added, the communication network may experience latency, making it harder for AMRs to coordinate in real-time.
• Depending on the size and scope of the system expansion, upgrading the network infrastructure could be required.

6. Applications – Where Does Each Fit Best Overall

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

Best or most common use case:

• Predictable environments such as manufacturing assembly lines and warehouses with set processes.

• Ideal for transporting heavy loads over long distances in linear workflows.

Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs)

Best or most common use case:

• Dynamic environments like e-commerce fulfillment centers, where tasks and layouts frequently change.

• Sorting, picking, and transporting goods in complex, multi-directional workflows.

Conclusion

So, what should you be asking yourself when choosing Between AGVs and AMRs?

• Are my environmental layouts structured and predictable or dynamic and variable?

• Do I require navigation that utilizes fixed paths or is it going to need to be dynamic and flexible?

• Does the available capital require the initial cost to be lower or higher?

• Does the system adaptability need to be limited or high?

• Is the scalability challenging (urgent and imminent) or easy (currently steady no foreseen changes coming)?

• Which is the best fit based on my use case?

Both AGVs and AMRs have their place in modern automation strategies. AGVs are reliable for structured tasks in stable environments, while AMRs offer unmatched flexibility and autonomy for complex, changing operations. By working with your automation subject matter expert to take a deep dive into factors such as workflow, environment, budget, and long-term goals, you can make the informed decision that maximizes efficiency. Understanding these differences ensures you invest in the right technology for your operation and add value to your bottom line. That’s why, at Hansen-Rice, Inc. we care about the difference between AGVs and AMRs, and why we think you should too!

Table 1 – Automation Solution Compare and Contrast

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