Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) follow fixed paths such as magnetic tape, wires or markers, and suit repetitive routes with heavy loads. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) map the facility and navigate around obstacles, so routes can change in software and they work in busier, changing spaces. AGVs are predictable; AMRs are flexible.
Moving material is often the easiest automation win.
Compared
| AGV | AMR | |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | Fixed paths | Maps, dynamic routing |
| Obstacles | Stops and waits | Routes around |
| Route changes | Physical changes | Software |
| Infrastructure | Tape, wires or markers | Mapping, Wi-Fi, chargers |
| Best for | Repetitive, heavy routes | Changing, mixed traffic |
Planning
- Map current material flows.
- Measure loads, distances and trips per hour.
- Check floors, doors and lifts.
- Plan charging and fleet management.
See cobots vs industrial robots, the automation ROI guide, and belt vs roller conveyor selection. Browse robots and cobots.
Common questions
Do AMRs need infrastructure changes?
Usually little: mapping, Wi-Fi coverage and charging stations.
Are mobile robots safe around people?
They use safety scanners and speed limits; a risk assessment and relevant standards apply to each installation.
Can mobile robots carry heavy loads?
Yes. Both AGVs and AMRs come in models for carts, pallets and heavy loads.