Your journey to autonomous workflows starts here

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are often confused for one another but are inherently different. Each system operates with fundamentally different technology and therefore have different capabilities and applications.

• AGV: An AGV is an unmanned electric vehicle that is controlled by pre-programmed software to move materials around a facility. AGVs rely on guidance devices such as magnetic tape, beacons, barcodes or predefined laser paths that allow the AGV to travel on fixed paths in a controlled space. Lasers and sensors detect obstacles in its path and trigger the vehicle to stop automatically.

• AMR: An AMR is a robot in which operation occurs without direct driver input or pre-configured scripts to control the steering, acceleration, and braking. Within an industrial environment, an AMR utilizes laser-based perception and navigation algorithms to dynamically move through facilities, infrastructure-free. Machine learning capabilities enable the robot to become more efficient and accurate as it encounters new situations.

Read this blog to uncover the five advantages AMRs deliver in comparison to AGVs.

As you consider AMRs for your facility, the first step is identifying the workflow you want to automate to determine which AMR solution is best suited to meet your needs.

• Workcell delivery
• Picking to packout or consolidation
• Work-in-progress (WIP) transport
• Lineside delivery
• Palletizer to stretch wrapper
• Finished goods transport
• Inbound/outbound storage
• Cross-dock transfer

Read this blog to learn more about the workflows you can automate with AMRs.

Amid an increasingly competitive market and complex supply chain, manufacturers are turning to AMRs to solve these top 4 challenges:

• Improve safety
• Increase efficiency and reduce long-term costs
• Improve flexibility and floor space utilization
• Reallocate labor to higher value-add tasks

Read this blog to learn how AMRs are solving these core challenges for manufacturers.

The most effective way to assess multiple AMR solutions at once is by attending industry trade shows. Each AMR provider will demonstrate their fleet differently at trade shows, which can be revealing of their capabilities.

When walking the show floor to evaluate AMR solutions, we recommend looking for these six signs of confidence in robot demos:

• Is their fleet management software shown or hidden?
• Are the AMRs driving on concrete, or did they install flooring on top?
• Are the AMRs stationary or moving?
• Are there multiple robots sharing the same space, or are they isolated?
• Is an employee glued to their laptop watching the demo?
• How safe is the AMR demo?

Read the blog or watch the video to learn more.

To get the most from AMRs, look for a solution that integrates centrally with your existing business management systems, hardware, and material handling systems. Centralized integration streamlines deployment, simplifies day-to-day management, and ensures your automation systems work in sync to reduce downtime and manual effort.

Below are three integrations your AMR vendor should provide:

• Ensure continuous productivity by connecting with your existing business management systems
• Improve safety by communicating with existing PLCs
• Collaborate seamlessly with other material handling systems

Read the blog to learn more.

There's a lot to consider in selecting the right AMR solution—understanding what to evaluate and how to assess your options is crucial for a successful deployment that meets your efficiency ands safety goals.

Here are some helpful resources you can leverage to ensure you're making the best choice for your facility:

• Identify which AMR provider is best suited to automate your material handling workflows using these 8 key considerations.
• Assess the software capabilities behind AMR solutions with a comprehensive list of questions you can ask your shortlisted vendors in this software evaluation questionnaire.
• Unlock expert insights as you navigate the AMR selection process with this five-stage guide.

If you prefer to speak with an AMR advisor, fill out the form below.