Today, more and more companies in manufacturing and logistics use automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) and other robotic solutions to transport raw materials, components, and finished goods on the facility floor. According to Gartner, 75% of large enterprises will adopt some form of smart robots in their operations by .
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At the same time, there is increased competition for the types and different AGVs available in the market. As a result, selecting the right automated guided vehicle can be a daunting task for plant managers or logistics engineers who usually make these decisions.
To help with the decision-making process, we outlined all you must remember while choosing the right AGV system.
Before choosing what kind of driverless electric vehicle would be the best fit for your facility you have to learn how they work, which tasks you want to perform with AGVs, and more. Keep reading and find the right solution for your facility.
AGVs are autonomous driverless vehicles that use a variety of guiding technologies to navigate the facility floor. The main AGV navigation systems include:
Selecting the right navigation technology is essential because it influences your AGV’s system performance. Navigation systems are improving daily, achieving incredible performance levels, and redefining many facilities.
In addition, the type of navigation system also significantly affects the AGV’s applications and cost. Outstanding developments have made AGVs and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) more reliable, accurate, and cost-effective, thanks to ultrasonic sensors, magnetic sensors, cameras, and 2D or 3D LiDAR.
Skilled automation integrators can solve the most challenging automation tasks that require complex system designs and extensive engineering knowledge. The right AGV navigation technology should meet the needs of your facility.
You must consider the tasks you wish your AGV to handle before selecting the right one for your facility. Different AGVs and navigation technologies are best suited for their unique applications.
The four main types of AGVs have different applications in various industries:
Automated Guided Carts
Automated guided carts (AGCs) have a low-profile small chassis that engages carts, shelves, and trolleys from beneath. Their navigation technology can range from complex sensor-based systems that depend on artificial intelligence to simple magnetic tapes.
AGCs are low-cost, easy to install, flexible, and significantly improve safety, making them suitable for automating non-value-adding tasks. Using them eliminates the need for workers to push carts and trolleys.
Towing AGVs
Towing AGVs also referred to as tugger vehicles, are built for towing multiple carts and have greater throughput than AGCs. They can pull loads of tons at a low cost, reducing the risks of using heavy and large equipment.
Heavy-towing AGVs can pull bulk materials, machine components, sub-assemblies, and equipment that would be risky for manual labor. They have numerous applications in the manufacturing and automotive industries.
Automated Forklifts
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Automated forklifts can retrieve stock, place materials, and stack pallets. They are ideal for supplying materials to computerized machines and moving finished goods from the production line to storage or for shipment.
Automated forklifts are economical because they replace forklift operators who require training and certification. They are ideal for manufacturing facilities and warehouses.
Unit Load AGVs
Unit load AGVs handle individual items or a single load, such as a pallet or tote with multiple items. They navigate fast and safely in warehouses and production facilities. A unit load handler is ideal for delivering packages that may be hazardous or heavy for manual labor.
Calculating your return on investment (ROI) is vital in deciding whether to buy an AGV and which one to buy. It requires an assessment of the current processes, understanding your investment, and estimating the expected gains.
The decision to install an AGV system relies on its ability to offer ROI in a reasonable time. Cost-effective, more flexible, and capable robotic solutions are accelerating the growth of facilities.
As a result, more facilities are moving towards automation. In the Netherlands, a Phillips industrial plant that produces electric razors has more robots than human workers, with the robots outnumbering humans in a ratio of 14 to one. Similarly, a Fanuc plant in Japan uses industrial robots supervised by a team of four workers.
Automation can Generate Savings of 40 to 75% in Labor Hours
As robotic solutions increase, the costs have gone down. Besides freeing humans from dangerous, dull, and dangerous jobs - manufacturing facilities cut their operational costs by replacing humans with much more cost-effective and efficient machines.
According to a recent Office Worker Survey, 68 percent of US workers believe that robotic process automation (RPA) increases productivity and saves time. These are critical aspects in measuring the ROI of an automated system. In addition, RPA can generate savings of 40 to 75% in labor hours in MedTech companies.
Organizations, leaders, and workers must all contribute when preparing to deploy robotic solutions. Facility managers must measure the ability of their organization to collaborate, learn from, trust, adapt to, and generate benefits from AGVs. Managers should apply a trust-based perspective to everyone's competencies.
According to Forrester, a PLOT (People, Leaders, Organization, and Trust) framework is essential in assessing areas for improvement. The tool identifies areas that need improvement and the competencies you need to acquire to succeed with robotic process automation.
What an AGV can do is only limited by creativity. It is essential to determine whether the standard AGVs will meet your facility’s needs or if you will need a supplier that can provide a bespoke solution. A custom AGV addresses the specific requirements beyond the standard portfolio of AGV solutions.
Customization enhanced its flexibility, capability, and application. Custom AGVs can be designed for any material handling needs. In addition, a bespoke AGV can offer maximum ROI.
Industrial operations face mounting pressures: labor shortages, rising costs, throughput demands, and supply chain complexity are all risks that can lead to missed deliveries, lost customers, and declining market share. Our teams empower businesses with tailored, integrated automation solutions that streamline operations, improve quality and accuracy, and control costs.
We help customers achieve seamless workflows and smarter decision-making by leveraging technologies like RFID, IoT, machine vision, fixed industrial scanning, industrial automation, and more—all backed by trusted partnerships with industry-leading OEMs.
But complex challenges aren’t solved by technology alone. They demand a solutions partner that understands your industry, your operations, and your edge workers’ needs—and delivers proven solutions that drive measurable ROI across industries:
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