What are AGV and AMR robots? Differences and applications in automation

An AGV is an automatically guided transport vehicle that moves along a previously defined route, specified, among other things, by tapes, inductive wires, markers, reflectors, or reference points. An AGV robot performs repetitive transport tasks between designated points within a facility.

An AMR is an autonomous mobile robot that localizes itself on a digital map of its surroundings and independently plans a route to its destination. Using sensor data, it can avoid obstacles, choose alternative routes, and adapt its movement to changes in a warehouse or production hall.

What is an AGV?

AGV, or Automated Guided Vehicle, is an automatically guided vehicle designed primarily to transport materials, components, and finished products. It typically travels along a route designed in advance.

An AGV may navigate using:

• Inductive wires installed in the floor
• Magnetic or optical tapes
• RFID tags
• QR codes
• Laser reflectors
• Programmed waypoints

The vehicle follows a defined sequence of movements—for example, collecting a pallet from the receiving area, transporting it to a production line, and then returning to its starting point.

The main advantage of AGVs is predictable operation. The route, stopping points, and task execution method are precisely defined, making these vehicles well suited to processes that do not change frequently.

Their limitation is lower flexibility. If a production line is reconfigured or the layout of the racks changes, it may be necessary to redefine the route, move markers, or modify the navigation infrastructure.

What Is an AMR?

AMR, or Autonomous Mobile Robot, is an autonomous mobile robot that does not have to travel exclusively along one physically defined route. It uses a digital map of the facility, determines its own position, and calculates a path to the specified destination.

An AMR robot typically uses several sources of information:

• Laser scanners
• Cameras
• Distance sensors
• Wheel encoders
• Inertial measurement units
• Data stored on an environment map
• Information provided by the fleet management system

Based on this data, the robot can detect an obstacle, slow down, stop, or calculate another route. This does not mean it can move completely freely. The robot still operates within the limits set by the map, traffic rules, safety zones, and supervisory system.

AMRs are particularly useful in facilities where:

• The layout of workstations changes frequently
• People and forklifts use the same traffic routes
• Many pickup and delivery points must be served
• Tasks are dynamically assigned to individual robots
• The fleet is expanded gradually

AGV vs. AMR – what are the differences?

The fundamental difference between AGVs and AMRs is how they navigate. An AGV mainly travels along a fixed route, while an AMR independently plans its journey within the boundaries of a digital map.

Criterion	AGV	AMR
Navigation method	Previously defined route	Dynamic path planning on a map
Response to an obstacle	Usually slows down or stops	Stops or calculates a detour
Infrastructure	May require tapes, wires, markers, or reflectors	Usually does not require the entire route to be physically marked
Changes to facility layout	May require route reconstruction	Often an update to the map and configuration is sufficient
Task flexibility	Best for fixed, repetitive routes	High flexibility with changing pickup and delivery points
Initial cost	Depends on the vehicle and navigation infrastructure	Typically a greater share of software and sensors
System scaling	May require infrastructure expansion	Additional robots can be added to the managed fleet
Typical environment	Repetitive production and fixed logistics routes	Dynamic warehouses and flexible production processes

The boundary between these categories is not always clear-cut. A modern AGV may use scanners and advanced safety features, while an AMR may follow the same route every day.

The main factor in classification is whether the device simply follows a programmed path or independently localizes itself, analyzes its surroundings, and chooses a route to its destination.

Where are AGV and AMR robots used?

Mobile robots are used primarily to automate internal transport. They replace or supplement the manual movement of materials using carts, pallet trucks, and logistics tuggers.

Transport between production workstations

An AGV or AMR can deliver components to an assembly line and collect finished items. This helps reduce manual trips and synchronize transport with the pace of production.

Example tasks include:

• Delivering containers of parts
• Collecting empty packaging
• Transporting semi-finished products between operations
• Serving production cells
• Delivering tools or consumables

Warehouses and distribution centers

In a warehouse, robots can transport pallets, racks, bins, or containers between receiving, storage, order-picking, and shipping areas.

AMRs are particularly useful when transport tasks are assigned dynamically. The fleet management system can select the nearest available robot and direct it to the point where transport is currently needed.

Assembly lines

A mobile platform can carry a product being assembled through successive workstations. This can reduce the need for fixed conveyors and make it easier to change the order of operations.

A robot can also serve as a:

• Mobile assembly table
• Platform for transporting a heavy component
• Autonomous cart for delivering parts
• Carrier working together with an industrial robot

Food and pharmaceutical industries

In controlled environments, AGVs and AMRs can reduce the number of manual transport operations and support a repeatable flow of materials. However, the vehicle’s design, wheels, housings, and drives must be adapted to cleaning, humidity, and hygiene requirements.

When should you choose an AGV, and when an AMR?

An AGV is a suitable solution when the process is stable, routes are fixed, and the vehicle is expected to perform the same sequence of movements for a long time. This makes it possible to build a predictable system without implementing extensive autonomous navigation.

An AMR is worth considering when:

• The warehouse or production layout changes frequently
• The vehicle must serve many points
• Routes are temporarily blocked
• Tasks are generated dynamically
• Gradual fleet expansion is planned
• Integration with a WMS, MES, or another supervisory system is needed

When choosing, do not compare only the price of an individual robot. Also account for the costs of preparing infrastructure, configuration, maintenance, future process changes, and integration with the facility’s systems.

What automation components are needed to build an AGV or AMR?

AGVs and AMRs are complete mechatronic systems. Their proper operation depends not only on the navigation algorithm but also on appropriately selected drives, sensors, and mechanical components.

Traction Drive

The traction drive propels the vehicle. It may include:

• Servo motor or another electric motor
• Gear reducer
• Drive wheel
• Encoder
• Parking brake
• Drive controller

The torque at the wheel must be sufficient to start the vehicle with a full load, overcome rolling resistance, and climb the permitted incline.

Steering System

Depending on the vehicle design, steering may be achieved by:

• Differentiating the speed of the wheels on each side
• Rotating the entire wheel module
• Using a steered wheel
• Using omnidirectional wheels

A module with integrated traction and steering drives makes it easier to build a maneuverable platform, but it requires precise control and feedback about the wheel’s position.

Encoders and Position Sensors

Encoders measure the rotation of a motor or wheel. This data is used to regulate speed, track distance traveled, and estimate the vehicle’s position.

The system may also include:

• Steering assembly position sensors
• Limit switches
• Inclinometers
• Load presence sensors
• Safety scanners
• Obstacle-detection sensors

Brake

A parking brake holds the vehicle after it stops and can reduce the risk of the platform rolling on an incline. However, not every parking brake is designed to regularly stop a moving vehicle. Dynamic braking requires a suitably engineered solution.

MoveSpin-integrated drive for AGV and AMR platforms

MoveSpin is a family of integrated drive units designed for AGV and AMR platforms. Depending on the variant, it can form a traction module, a differential drive, or an assembly combining traction drive with a separate wheel-steering drive.

A basic configuration may include a PMSM servo motor, gearbox, encoder, brake, and a wheel with a polyurethane tread. The design was developed so that a substantial part of the drive fits inside the wheel’s outline, reducing the space required for installation.

Selected MoveSpin variants offer:

• Wheels with diameters of 140, 160, or 200 mm
• Standard 48 V DC bus supply, with 24 V available on request
• Load capacity of up to 500 kg per wheel in higher-capacity versions
• Rated wheel torque of up to 36 Nm
• Parking brake as standard
• Various encoder and interface options
• Optional limit switches and safety encoders

Specifications depend on the specific configuration. For example, the MS 140-500 model reaches a nominal vehicle speed of 0.7 m/s and a peak speed of 1.7 m/s, while the MS 200-500 differential unit can reach 1 and 2.49 m/s, respectively. The lighter MS 200-060 variant is designed for loads of up to 60 kg per wheel and can reach a peak speed of up to 4.19 m/s.

Details of available configurations can be found on the MoveSpin product page. The unit can be customized in terms of encoder type, gearbox, brake, wheel, and additional sensors.

AGVs and AMRs should be selected for the entire process

AGVs are suitable for stable processes with repetitive routes, while AMRs offer greater flexibility in changing environments. The choice should depend not only on the robot’s capabilities but also on the facility layout, load type, traffic intensity, required safety, and integration with the production or warehouse management system.

When designing a platform, first determine:

• Maximum vehicle mass including the load
• Required torque and travel speed
• Permissible incline
• Turning radius
• Floor surface type
• Expected operating time
• Braking method
• Encoder and feedback type
• Space available for installing the drive

On this basis, traction and steering units can be selected to provide the required dynamics, load capacity, and vehicle guidance accuracy.

FAQ

How does an AGV differ from an AMR?

An AGV usually travels along a previously defined route and most often stops when it encounters an obstacle. An AMR localizes itself on a digital map, analyzes its surroundings, and can independently calculate an alternative route to its destination.

How do AGVs navigate?

AGVs can use inductive wires, magnetic tapes, optical lines, codes, RFID tags, or laser reflectors. The navigation method depends on the vehicle design and the facility’s infrastructure.

How do AMRs navigate?

AMRs use an environment map and data from scanners, cameras, encoders, and other sensors. Based on this information, they determine their position, plan a route, and respond to obstacles encountered while traveling.

What automation components are needed to build an AGV or AMR?

The basic components are a traction drive, controller, gearbox, wheels, encoders, environmental sensors, safety system, brake, and power source. An AMR additionally requires an appropriate localization, mapping, and dynamic route-planning system.