What is the relationship between AGV and AMR? What key navigation technologies does AGV use?

AGV is the abbreviation of automatic guided vehicle, which is an automated and computer-controlled transport. Common types include automatic guided forklifts and automatic guided picking robots. They are usually used in manufacturing and warehousing, but can also be used in inspection, transportation, military and exploration applications. They are a safe and reliable way to improve process efficiency and increase business profitability.

What is the relationship between AGV and AMR?

In the industry, in addition to AGV, AMR is also a type of robot that appears frequently. AGV and AMR have many similarities. When introducing AGV, AMR is often mentioned together, and sometimes the two are discussed together. Therefore, before introducing AGV, let's take a look at the relationship between them.

An AGV is an unmanned guided vehicle (UGV), which often moves throughout a facility along a set of predetermined paths. AGV is not a subclass of mobile robots, but rather a predecessor of mobile robots, which have been around since the 1950s and still have many uses in modern manufacturing or warehouse environments. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are unattended ground vehicles that have more features than AGVs. For example, AMRs are able to move freely and plan paths in real time, allowing them to collaborate with humans to perform material handling tasks. Compared to AGVs, which are basically wheeled vehicles, AMRs have a variety of motion configurations, including tracked vehicles, bipedal robots, quadrupedal robots, and multi-legged robots, in addition to wheeled vehicles.

The difference between the two

To understand the main difference between AGV and AMR, the following metaphor may be more vivid: AGV is like a train that can only run on its track. AMR is like a taxi, which can move freely between any two points and re-plan the route when traffic is too congested. Specifically, when AGV works in a static environment, it needs the help of magnetic strips or guide wires, and its movement path is highly structured. If there are any obstacles in the path, they must be removed immediately so that the AGV can continue to work. When the environmental facilities change, such as renovations, upgrades or changes in location, guidance technologies such as magnetic strips or guide wires need to be redeployed. In contrast to AGV, AMR can work in a dynamic environment with autonomous navigation. It creates and saves the location or map of the facility to find alternative paths when there are obstacles in the defined route. In addition, even if there are changes related to the facility, if the AMR has been mapped with the facility, it can still be unpacked and put into use within an hour, and the deployment is extremely flexible.

So, does it mean that the "conventional" AGV will be completely replaced by the "flexible" AMR?

At present, this situation has not occurred, mainly because AGV and AMR have their own positioning and application scenarios. From the perspective of load, AGV is more suitable for larger load applications, especially for large goods or pallets that need to handle more than 500Kg. In addition, AGV often has a stronger lifting capacity. When users need to load pallets onto shelves, AGV is definitely the best choice.

Since AMR can respond to environmental changes in real time and adjust its activities and movements, this type of robot is an ideal choice for dynamic working environments, such as airports, hospitals, etc. However, if your operation is fixed, such as transferring materials from a fixed storage point to a fixed production line, or transferring finished products to a temporary storage area, etc., AGV is fully capable of these tasks, and compared with the higher initial investment of AMR, AGV costs less.

How big is the AGV market?

Mobile robots (including AGVs and AMRs) are able to optimize storage facility space in logistics and manufacturing. Due to advances in automation, automated sorting and placement operations, and robotics, we are witnessing more new applications for AMRs and AGVs beyond logistics and manufacturing, and the market scope continues to expand.

According to new market research from LogisticsIQ, the combined AGV and AMR robot markets will reach $13.2 billion by 2026, growing at approximately 35%. Together, they are expected to surpass an installed base of 1.5 million, making mobile robots the new normal in our daily operations.

Analytical data from Statzon shows that the global AGV market is valued at approximately $4,017.7 million in 2021 and is expected to reach $8,661.1 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 8.93% from 2022 to 2030. By industry, the and industries contribute greatly to the AGV market, reaching $919.8 million in 2021 and are expected to increase to $1,653.3 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 6.73%. In 2021, the two industries accounted for approximately 38.6% of the total AGV market, with the former accounting for approximately 22.9%. During the forecast period, the railway and food and beverage sectors are expected to achieve significant growth at a CAGR of 11.21% and 10.57%, respectively. Currently, the two segments account for approximately 11.7% of the overall global automated guided vehicle market and are expected to reach 13.8% by 2030.

How do AGVs work?

Generally speaking, AGV robots are composed of five basic components, namely: navigation system, safety system, power system, motion system and vehicle controller.

Navigation system : As part of the AGV robot, the navigation system is responsible for receiving and processing information so that the AGV can travel along a preset route or direction. There are many types of navigation in actual applications, including laser navigation, wired navigation, and magnetic navigation.

Safety system : Each AGV robot has safety components adapted to its function, ensuring that all movements and operations are carried out under safe conditions. The concept is easy to understand, that is, the robot must be able to stop before it hits something or a person. The main components are safety laser scanners and safety logic controllers ().

Power system : The AGV robot is equipped with a battery that provides the energy required for vehicle movement and accessory functions. The main components are the battery and the charging solution.

Motion system : The motion system of an AGV robot integrates multiple components that enable the vehicle to move and perform tasks. Everything from the wheels to the mast and hydraulic system used to lift the load belongs to the motion system.

Vehicle Controller : The vehicle controller is the brain of the AGV, which collects and coordinates all the information received from other systems such as navigation, safety, motion, etc.

What key navigation technologies does AGV use?

AGV mainly realizes autonomous route planning and process through electromagnetic or other automatic guidance devices, and has high safety. There are many types of AGV, including LGV (laser guided vehicle), mobile robot, SGV (automatic guided vehicle) and car, etc. These classifications are mainly defined by the sensing mechanism of their navigation environment. Common AGV navigation methods on the market include: electromagnetic navigation, magnetic stripe navigation, QR code navigation, laser navigation, visual navigation, etc. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these navigation technologies?

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AGV navigation based on electromagnetic field

Electromagnetic navigation is a traditional navigation method and a very popular method for AGV. It is simple and easy to deploy, and is a cost-effective option. The specific guidance method is to bury metal wires on the driving path of the AGV and load low frequency and low voltage to generate a magnetic field around the wires, and the induction coils on the AGV can identify and track the intensity of the navigation magnetic field to achieve navigation. The advantages of electromagnetic navigation are that the guide wire is hidden, not easy to be contaminated and damaged, simple and reliable, easy to control, no interference with sound and light, and low investment cost. The disadvantage is that it is troublesome to change or expand the path, and the laying of the guide wire is also difficult. The magnetism equipped on the AGV can be used to detect the magnetic area of ​​the tape and drive the AGV according to the route.

Honewell

03SR Series Hall Effect Position Sensors

Honeywell's 103SR series Hall effect position sensors seal the components in aluminum or stainless steel threaded housings, making them rugged and durable. Products include digital unipolar, latching, and linear magnetic types, which can provide a variety of sensitivities to meet the requirements of various applications. Among them, the digital version of the 103SR series Hall effect position sensor provides a stable output in the temperature range of -40°C to 100°C, has a current sink capability of 20mA, and can accept a DC voltage of 4.5V to 24Vdc. The operating temperature of the linear version is -40°C to 125°C, and the supply voltage range is 4.5Vdc to 10.5Vdc. Both products are easily interfaced with general electronic circuits such as microprocessors, integrated logic, discrete, etc.

Similar to electromagnetic navigation is the AGV navigation technology based on magnetic stripes. The difference is that the latter's magnetic stripes are laid on the ground instead of buried underground. The advantages of AGV navigation based on magnetic stripes are that the AGV is accurately positioned, the path is easier to lay, change or expand than electromagnetic navigation, and the cost of magnetic stripes is lower. The disadvantage is that the magnetic stripes are easily damaged and require regular maintenance. The magnetic stripes need to be re-laid after the path is changed. In addition, the AGV can only walk along the magnetic stripes and cannot achieve intelligent avoidance or change tasks in real time.