Issue 7 | 09.03.2024

In this article we explore the decision-making process between using Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Join us as we navigate through the key considerations that guide businesses in choosing the most suitable technology for their unique operational needs, shedding light on when to opt for the precision of AGVs and when the flexibility of AMRs takes center stage.

1. AGVs: From our experience, AGVs may be an interesting choice when the following is required:

Reliability:

AGVs shine in scenarios requiring fixed paths and clear routes. Warehouses, for instance, are prime environments where AGVs excel in efficiently transporting goods from point A to B. The reliability of AGVs is underscored, especially in tasks like moving packaging materials, emphasizing the establishment of clear relationships between source and destination.

Efficiency:

Further exploration reveals AGVs' effectiveness in environments with minimal manual traffic, ensuring smooth and obstacle-free operations. In settings where paths are reserved for specific materials, AGVs mitigate potential disruptions from unrelated traffic, providing a seamless and efficient workflow.

Robustness:

Industries facing challenging conditions like heat, dust, dirt or moisture (e.g. foundries) find AGVs advantageous due to their lower technological complexity. This factor contributes to heightened reliability and availability, making AGVs a cost-effective solution.

Alternative choice to conveyor belts:

A standout application involves AGVs functioning as flexible conveyor systems. This innovation offers reliability and ease of adaptability, making AGVs suitable for dynamic environments with evolving needs—a noteworthy alternative to traditional conveyor belts.

2. AMRs: Autonomous Mobile Robots tend to be the better choice in the following environments:

Volatile Environments:

AMRs prove suitable for dynamic environments with frequent layout changes, particularly in existing Brownfield settings.

Collaborative Environments:

Collaborative environments, where human-robot interactions are frequent are another key application for AMRs. This is where AMRs can excel by using their obstacle avoidance or free navigation capabilities. A good example for such a collaborative use case could be the quality inspection are in plant. In this setting, using AMRs would allow human workers to concentrate on the inspection process and free them from logistics tasks.

3. Conclusion:

The era of AGVs is far away from being over! There are still multiple environments in which AGVs are a great choice. When considering the aspects of implementation time, adaptability to changes and human-robot collaboration, AMRs are the better option. This makes AMRs a compelling choice for companies seeking swift and effective results. The Automation Awakenings experts therefore suggest: When starting your automation journey, always start with an AMR first!