In today’s dynamically developing world of robotics, a key player is still the AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) technology, which is slowly being replaced by its successor, the AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot). While the former fits perfectly into the definition of the child of the third industrial revolution, can we speak of our robots as typical representatives of Industry 4.0? In the following post, I will try to help you understand what modern AMRs are and what advantages they have over the well-known AGVs from the 1950s.
AGV, or Automated Guided Vehicle, is a type of industrial machinery primarily used for material transport along predefined paths. Such vehicles move along previously defined routes, the modification of which sometimes requires significant investments (or is even impossible or economically unfeasible) due to their construction (rails, magnetic/inductive tape). A characteristic feature of AGVs is their ability to perform predefined repetitive tasks. AMR, which stands for Autonomous Mobile Robot, represents the next generation of machines performing intralogistics tasks. Thanks to their flexibility, we can call them robots. These devices stand out for their ability to navigate more complex environments without the need for a predefined route or with the possibility of adapting it in the event of sudden changes in the environment or process. AMRs use advanced navigation algorithms, but above all, they are distinguished by sensors providing perception of the work environment (such as LIDAR, cameras), allowing for quick adaptation to changes (e.g., obstacle avoidance).
AGV, or Automated Guided Vehicle, is a type of industrial machinery primarily used for material transport along predefined paths. Such vehicles move along previously defined routes, the modification of which sometimes requires significant investments (or is even impossible or economically unfeasible) due to their construction (rails, magnetic/inductive tape). A characteristic feature of AGVs is their ability to perform predefined repetitive tasks. AMR, which stands for Autonomous Mobile Robot, represents the next generation of machines performing intralogistics tasks. Thanks to their flexibility, we can call them robots. These devices stand out for their ability to navigate more complex environments without the need for a predefined route or with the possibility of adapting it in the event of sudden changes in the environment or process. AMRs use advanced navigation algorithms, but above all, they are distinguished by sensors providing perception of the work environment (such as LIDAR, cameras), allowing for quick adaptation to changes (e.g., obstacle avoidance).
Natural navigation (source: bluebotics.com)