AGV stands for “Automated Guided Vehicle.” AGVs are self-driving vehicles that can transport goods and people. AMR is a term used to describe autonomous mobile robots that can move around autonomously. While there are many different types of autonomous robots, the key defining feature of an AMR is its ability to move itself.
The following information will help you gain a deeper understanding of both AGV and AMR and how they can fit into your business.
Difference between AGV and AMR
Both AGV and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) can accomplish quite similar tasks, however, there are significant differences between the two technologies.
But before we review those differences, it is ideal to review further about AMR. In many ways, an AMR can provide the same capabilities as an AGV, however, it does this by performing it smarter. AMRs work in a changing and dynamic environment with internal autonomous navigation.
As it maneuvers and performs its assigned tasks, it maps, saves, and calculates various location points within the warehouse facility in order to determine an alternative path to traverse if the need arises. Suppose there is an obstacle in its defined route, an AMR will internally review its saved location points for an alternative yet efficient route to progress to.
AMRs require a minimum of installation and configuration modifications, and once it is operational, the AMR can basically be left on its own to perform its duties. Basically, they can be visibly unboxed and put to work within one hour if it’s already internally mapped its working facility. This aspect makes an AMR extremely flexible to deploy.
- AGVs require tracks to guide them along while AMRs can navigate more independently.
- AMR units can travel beyond their designated areas while AGVs must remain in the area they’re limited to or they could endanger others.
- Updating the mission of an AMR can be done quickly by making minor changes to the code while AGVs require more extensive programming.
Another major difference between AGVs and AMRs is that the former is more expensive on average. An AGV will typically cost more than an AMR. While the cost difference may seem prohibitive, it all depends on what applications you need the units for and how your business could benefit from having them.
What Are the Advantages at the Top Level of AMR Over Traditional Automation?
AMRs are the evolution position of an AGV. As the emerged version of AGVs, AMRs use observation, knowledge, and navigation algorithms to travel through facilities and identify and move materials from one place to the next.
While AGVs are programmed to traverse a specific route in order to perform their duties, an AMR does not have this programmable restriction and is not limited to a specific route.
Why AMRs Are More Sophisticated Than AGVs
AMR technology is simply more advanced than its AGV counterpart in several ways too. The following factors are what make AMR the intelligent solution for the modern factory or warehouse.
Intelligent Recognition And Navigation
AMRs will navigate using their own internal maps. The robot can calculate the most linear path in order to pick up and drop off components, even if within the proximity of impediments.
With intelligent learning and education capabilities, they will choose the optimal path required in even the most irregular of environments. Warehouse material flow can remain on schedule, so customer deadlines can be achieved.
Operational Scalability And Flexibility
Due to its advanced and intelligent navigation capabilities, AMR offers a high level of versatility and adaptability. AMRs are re-deployable, so you can move them to different areas depending on operational business requirements, and they can be simply configured and deployed within their new location.
As your business expands and the physical, and operational scope grows, scaling activities are simplified using AMRs.
Cost-Effectiveness
AMRs are technologically superior, but they are nevertheless a cost-effective automated solution. Quick and straightforward to deploy, they do not require downtime throughout their setup and configuration.
Warehouses have received a return on investment in as limited a time as six months, even less. Scaling upwards requires insignificant supplementary costs and no excess additional infrastructure.
Future-Proofing For Agile Firms
All businesses within all sectors are expected to be agile to adequately respond to changing business requirements, and manufacturing businesses are no exception. Being agile is necessary in order to remain competitive. AMRs can be simply implemented and can adjust to alterations in distribution designs and production lines.
Power Your AMR and AGV Units with Brushless DC Motors From Telco!
Now that you know more about AGV and AMR, you’ll need some high-quality brushless DC motors to power them. An automated mobile robot is only as good as the motor that powers it. Telco is known for building some of the most dependable yet affordable brushless DC motors in the world.
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