Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)
An unmanned material-handling vehicle that follows a predefined route using external guidance such as magnetic tape, floor codes or laser reflectors.
Definition
An automated guided vehicle moves materials without a driver along a preset route. Its defining feature is dependence on external guidance infrastructure rather than a complete onboard understanding of the surroundings. Magnetic tape, embedded magnets, floor codes, laser reflectors and inertial navigation are common approaches. Predictable routes make AGVs efficient and reliable for stable production-line supply, warehouse trunk routes and machine tending. Their limited flexibility means that layout changes often require changes to the guidance infrastructure.
How It Works
Operation combines guidance, propulsion and dispatching. Sensors read magnetic fields, decode floor markers or triangulate against laser reflectors to locate the vehicle. The controller converts the target route into wheel-drive commands, with encoder feedback correcting heading errors. A supervisory system assigns tasks, plans routes and controls traffic, including intersection priority and waiting points. Guidance determines docking precision; dispatching determines fleet throughput.
Choosing a Guidance Method
Magnetic tape is inexpensive and quick to install but vulnerable to wheels and dragging pallets. Embedded magnets are durable but require floor cutting and costly route changes. Floor codes can provide millimetre-level positioning in dense storage, but depend on clean, level floors. Reflector-based laser guidance avoids floor work and offers stable precision, yet loses positioning when racks or temporary stock obscure reflectors. Installations often combine methods across different areas.
The Difference from AMRs
The distinction is who interprets the environment. AGVs depend on external route infrastructure and usually stop or alarm at obstacles. AMRs use onboard lidar, cameras and SLAM to build maps and plan alternative paths. AGV flexibility is largely fixed during installation; AMRs can accommodate layout changes without reconstruction. On a stable, intensive production route, however, an AGV may be both more reliable and less expensive.
Its Place in Industrial Automation
AGVs occupy the fixed-route automation stage between manually driven trucks and autonomously navigating AMRs or driverless forklifts. Many existing fleets instead gain partial automation and connectivity through retrofit sensing and control modules while retaining manual driving. This avoids production shutdowns and preserves existing assets. Route stability, predictable cycle times and permission for site construction determine which approach fits.
Selection and Deployment
Survey gradients, joints, expansion gaps and drains before selecting guidance and payload capacity. Traffic rules and road-network design become critical when many vehicles meet at intersections. Agree on WMS and MES protocols, task granularity and exception handling before integration. Charging versus battery swapping also changes the required fleet size and should be assessed during planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do AGVs differ from AMRs?
AGVs follow external guidance infrastructure and generally wait or alarm at obstacles. AMRs use onboard sensing and SLAM to plan routes and go around obstacles. AGVs require installation work but can be economical and dependable on fixed routes; AMRs offer layout flexibility at a higher vehicle cost.
Which guidance method should I choose?
Consider magnetic tape, embedded magnets, floor codes, reflectors and inertial guidance against installation cost, floor wear, cleanliness and visibility. Tape is cheap but fragile; embedded magnets are durable but difficult to relocate; codes need clean floors; reflectors need clear sightlines. Hybrid guidance is common.
Related Terms
From Concept to Fleet Deployment
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This glossary covers general industry concepts for technical reference and knowledge sharing. It contains no proprietary information from any specific manufacturer. For equipment specifications and operating procedures, always refer to the OEM documentation.