-1.jpg)
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are revolutionising how materials are handled in warehouses, manufacturing facilities and distribution centres. These driverless vehicles operate autonomously, transporting goods and materials precisely and efficiently. As the demand for automation grows, the adoption of automated guided vehicles is booming due to their ability to streamline operations and reduce downtime — alongside many other benefits.
In this blog, we explore what automated guided vehicles are, their applications and how they can benefit your operation. If you are considering warehouse automation, understanding the role of AGVs is crucial to making an informed decision.
- An overview of automated guided vehicles
- How do automated guided vehicles work?
- Applications for automation
- The business case for automation
- Types of automated guided vehicles available
What are automated guided vehicles (AGVs)?
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are mobile robots used to transport materials without an operator. Commonly found in warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers, AGVs follow predefined paths using technologies such as magnetic strips, lasers, QR codes, or vision-based navigation systems. They are designed to move raw materials, work-in-progress items, or finished goods safely and efficiently from one location to another. By automating repetitive and labour-intensive transport tasks, AGVs help improve productivity, reduce human error, enhance workplace safety, and lower operational costs.
How do automated guided vehicles work?
Automated guided vehicles are driverless vehicles with onboard software that guides their movement, helping them move along predefined paths and avoid obstacles, ensuring safety. There are many ways AGVs navigate through a site, but the two most efficient are reflector navigation and natural navigation:
- Reflector navigation: In this navigation method, reflectors are installed on-site and scanned by each automated guided vehicle. This allows it to define its position based on the distance to the reflectors. This navigation method has been noted for its high accuracy and robustness.
- Natural navigation: Using natural navigation, an automated guided truck will use reference points, such as walls, racking and fixed objects, to calculate location. This is a common navigation method for warehouses or distribution centres where the internal setup and landmarks remain constant.
In addition to navigation, AGVs are equipped with safety scanners, obstacle detection units, load sensors and vision cameras to prevent collisions and ensure safe operation.
Applications for AGVs
Automated guided vehicles take over tasks traditionally performed by human operators and manual equipment, such as forklifts. By handling and transporting large volumes of materials, AGVs enhance efficiency and accuracy in several key areas:
- Put-away.
- Replenishment.
- Point-to-point transfer.
- Empty pallet handling.
- Finished goods to outbound.
And they add value to:
- Block stacking.
- High-level storage.
- Light item handling.
- High-density storage.
Automated guided vehicles handle raw materials and can be used for partially completed goods and finished products. They can move work-in-progress materials from one workstation to another or different parts of a manufacturing facility, maintaining the flow of materials and products.
In contrast, a processing line that runs out of materials can stall or delay a manufacturing process. The AGV, alongside centralised automation software, will keep track of material movement, ensuring a consistent supply is always available.
AGVs will also transport inventory from long-term storage to forward-picking locations, making order-picking far more efficient for employees. This also means shipping and deliveries will be much more accurate.
The business case for automation
At first glance, automated guided vehicles will consistently guarantee increases in efficiency and productivity, providing optimised warehouse automation. They are programmable, predictable, reliable and save time. Human workers oversee tasks and are provided with the correct goods and materials precisely when needed.
Similarly, as they are automated, they are far less fallible than human workers. Reducing human error is a crucial way of improving efficiency and accuracy on the warehouse floor, minimising loss and downtime, alongside capturing improved resource utilisation.
Other benefits include:
- Improved safety
- Reduced costs
- Space optimisation
- Faster throughput
- Increased sustainability
Types of automated guided vehicles
A wide variety of automated guided vehicles are available:
Automated warehouse trucks are designed to automate repetitive pallet handling. They provide:
- Pallet transport.
- Block stacking.
- Mixed pallet handling.
- High-level storage.
These types of trucks also allow for manual operation.
Automated tow trains
Tow trains provide automated fork-free pallet and item handling. They are the perfect choice for just-in-time delivery.
Automated pallet carrier
Automated pallet carriers are suitable for automated transport at your production site or logistics centre. They can pick up and transport pallets from point A to B, where an automated stacker will store them in the racking, for example.
Automated shuttles
Semi-automated and automated shuttles provide high-density, deep storage solutions with an 80% space utilisation rate. They guarantee increased throughput and are ideal for cold store operations.
Are automated guided vehicles right for you?
Automated guided vehicles provide significant efficiency and productivity gains in a warehouse environment. However, they may not be the right choice for every operation. To determine if warehouse automation with AGVs suits your needs, we have a guide to help with your decision-making process. Download the guide here
