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Exploring Types of AGV: An In-depth Look at Their Varieties and Uses

 Types of AGVWhat are the most common AGV types? I'll tell you what, There are many different kinds of AGVs, including big, tiny, powerful, low, able to lift, able to tow, and so on. There is no AGV that is superior to the others.

               

Each project, and hence its own sort of AGV, is determined by the specific user demands and expectations. For this reason, so it's critical to be aware of the various options available.

        

In this post, I explain the many varieties of Automatic Guided Vehicles on the market, as well as some technical characteristics and common applications of these robots.     

           Types of AGV

  

    

The AGV Landscape: Exploring the Many Kinds of Automated Guided Vehicles

What are the main Types of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)? 

       

The main types of agvs are:

 

  • ✅ Automated Guided Cart (AGC)
  • ✅ Automated Tow Tractors
  • ✅ Robotic Forklifts
  • ✅ Unit Load AGVs

         

Let's discover them one by one, but  Warning ! In this article, I talk about the “Types of AGV” that are typically designed under the “AGV” navigation concept, so magnetic navigation, QR code navigation or Laser Guided Navigation.  

    

AGV vs AMR

              

???? Before going ahead, I would like to differentiate the automated guided vehicles and the autonomous mobile robots. (so the AGV vs the AMR)

           

✅ An autonomous mobile robot is a self-driving robot that “freely” navigates without need of magnetic tapes, laser reflectors, etc.  An AMR  is able to “autonomously” define its own path with the possibility to avoid obstacles. Check this article for further info: What is an AMR Robot?

 

✅ An automated guided vehicle instead, navigates with traditional navigation methods such magnetic tapes or spots, laser triangulation, etc. An AGV is not able to leave its programmed path and can’t avoid obstacles. Check this article for further info: What is an AGV?

               

As you can see, the main difference between AGVs and AMRs relates to the mobile robot navigation technology and its behaviour. It's an important concept because navigation and behaviour determine different types of robots. 

     

Let's have a look at the multiple versions of Automated Guided Vehicles.

    

 

AUTOMATED GUIDED CARTS (AGC) 

              

 "Small but incredibly powerful"

    

The Automated Guided Carts (AGCs) or Under Ride robots are mobile platform robots that engage carts underneath them to transport them safely.

            

The load remains on top of the AGC. The trolley, cart or shelf can be engaged with a lifting device or with a pin hook.

                

This kind of AGV uses to be the most affordable, it costs around $16.000-$20.000 for 1 ton payload with a standard magnetic navigation (consider that an similar AMR could cost near $28.000 with natural navigation). 

              

Under Ride vehicles are widely used in Automotive and Industrial applications. 

   

 

            

Do not miss AGV Network Showroom with some nice examples of under cart robots. 

   

Boasting an ultra-low profile at just 128 mm in height, the Lowpad M is perfectl...
The TD5000 boasts exceptional capacity and unparalleled agility, making it the p...
The Geek+ MP1000R is an advanced AMR, carrying up to 1000 kg at 1.5m/s, with pre...
KUKA omniMove is a transport platform for heavy loads with omnidirectional movea...
The GoPal E24 from Robotize is designed for heavy loads on std. Euro pallets, in...
400mm Gyration Radius, Smaller but Stronger
The omnidirectional agv platform is able to safely transport heavy bulky loads i...
KUKA omniMove is a transport platform for heavy loads with omnidirectional movea...
 

    

If you wish to know more about AGCs, like tech specs, prices etc, I suggest to check this article: What is an Automated Guided Cart (AGC)?

        

        

       

AUTOMATED TOW TRACTORS 

              

 "When you need the best troughoutput"

    

An AGV Tugger vehicle is a type of automated guided vehicle designed to tow carts or trolleys. Basically, it is a driverless convoy with an AGV locomotive that is an automated tow tractor. 

 

Check these examples: 

       

User-friendly, easy to install, and low-maintenance solution. Equipped with the ...
User-friendly, easy to install, and low-maintenance solution. Equipped with the ...
VNQ40(VM) can realize automatic heavy material hauling indoors and outdoors.

               

Compared with AGCs, tugger AGVs have greater throughput because they can transport many carts in the same mission. On the other hand, if you do not have an automated trolley, hooking and unhokking the carts require some manual work. 

       

 

               

Standard AGV tractors have towing capacity of near 1 ton (2200 lbs)  but there are supppliers offering payloads of 3 ton, 5 ton and even 20 ton

          

In general, there are two main types of automated tow tractors: 

       

???? AGV tuggers that are able to operate only in AGV mode. These vehicles are typically up to 3 or 5 ton.

 

 

???? ➕ ✋???? AGV tuggers that can be operated in AGV mode or they can also be driven by a human. These vehicles are, in fact, standard manual vehicles converted into automated machines. 

       

 

  

The automated Tow tractors are mainly used in the automotive industry to supply kitting parts to assembly lines or to transport finished goods to the warehouse. 

      

This link redirects you to the article dedicated the AGV Tugger vehicle... just in case you wish to learn more about these vehicles... ????

          

  

                

AUTOMATED FORKLIFTS (pallet jack, vna, reach truck, etc)

            

 "The final automation solution"

 

An here... we have the big thing. I really love ❤ the automatic forklifts... they are complex machines able to perform incredible tasks in warehouses and production facilities. They are fast, accurate and they really improve material handling operations. 

    

Typically, we "say" automated forklifts when we refer to a vehicle with Laser Guided Navigation so LGV Vehicle, while we call Autonomous Forklift a vehicle with natural navigation. 

      

Rocla ART Automated Reach Truck is a multipurpose solution that is especially su...
Enhance your productivity and reduce operational costs in your intralogistics wi...
The Mabo CB, a strong counter balance AGV built to handle all possible pallet si...
AMR Pallet Jack with Slam Navigation, 1500 kg payload, 200 mm lifting, Steering ...
Innovative. Efficient. Intelligent. VARIO MOVE: New benchmark in transport robot...
Unmanned forklift with laser slam navigation technology for navigation and helps...

        

If you wish to know more about them, you cannot miss agvnetwork's guide with tons of useful info and listing more than 60 robotic forklifts manufacturers. (Of course, the guide is free...)

    

Robotic Forklift Guide

    

Download The AGV Forklift Guide

       

These are the main types of robotic forklifts:      

        

AUTOMATED PALLET JACK or STACKERS

             

A Pallet Mover AGV, also known as a fork-over AGV is a type of pallet truck Automated Guided Vehicle conceived to transport palletized loads in manufacturing facilities.

             

The agile vehicle. Designed to revolutionize the logistics industry.
AMR Pallet Jack with Slam Navigation, 1000 kg payload, 2030 mm lifting, Steering...
The Intelligent Carrier in the new era without fatigue
 

          

They use to handle max 3 ton (6.600 lbs) to be used in floor-to-floor operations or needing limited lifting requirements up to max 2 meters high (in this case the payload capacity thend to decrease).  

            

Automated pallet trucks are used to feed production lines or to move finished goods from production to the warehouse and they are used in many different industries. 

          

Do not miss this article for further info about Robotic pallet movers

     

  

AUTOMATED FORKLIFT TRUCK 

     

Counterbalance forklift AGVs are used whenever it is impossible to have support legs beneath the forks or when we need to reach high payload and high stocking height.

  

In this case, the AGV weight must compensate the load centre of gravity by adding ballast to the body of the AGV .

   

These vehicles are very versatile. They can be configured to handle heavy payloads, even 4 ton (8.800 lbs.), or high stocking operations around 8 meters (26 ft). 

       

 

 

Video by  Kollmorgen solutions 

   

Forklifts are efficient warehouse agvs, they can handle Pallet racking, Gravity racking, Mobile racking, Drive-in racking, Block stacking, etc. 

     

 
     
  

VERY NARROW AISLE AGV

      

An automated VNA truck is a vehicle specifically designed to do one thing: operate in very narrow aisles while performing high lifting loading operations. 

   

 

      

Video by Kollmorgen solutions

     

They are designed to work in narrow aisles (less than 6,5 feet /78 inches / 2000 mm). VNA AGVs are able to store pallets at 36 feet height (11 m / 430')... awesome!   

       

They are the best option for high density warehouses with many jobs/hour requirements. 

  

Only one thing... be ready to pay $180000-$200000 for one single vehicle.

   

How much is a VNA AGV? Who are the main suppliers? Click here to discover more about  AGV VNA.

     

  

REACH TRUCK AGV

    

Automated Reach Trucks are designed to work in narrow aisle warehousing spaces. They have two outer legs that distribute the load weight; with a wheel configuration of two or one wheels per leg.

   

VNR14(V) can realize automatic indoor and outdoor material handling and material...
REACHY robotic reach truck based on Linde R16HD benefits from all Linde quality ...
Long and heavy loads in narrow aisles & double deep postions? No problem for thi...
VNR25(V)-07(Ride-on) can realize automatic and flexible material handling, mater...
VNR16(V)-07 can realize automatic and flexible material handling, material inbou...
Based on a standard reach forklift design with a fully integrated navigation and...

        

Reach AGVs need near 3 m aisle width to hadle pallets in racks compared to 2 m (even 1,7 m) needed by a VNA. 

         

Reach trucks are smaller and faster compared  to VNA AGVs but are still capable to stock 1500 kg at 8 m high without problems.

    

If you need a forklift able to work in narrow aisles, with limited footprint, without renouncing to flexibility and speed outside the aisles... the AGV Reach Truck is your vehicle

     

 

   

  

UNIT LOAD AGV 

      

Unit Load AGVs are self-driving platforms tipically equiped with roll conveyors. They are able to navigate fast and safe in warehouses and production facilities. 

    

  

  

     

Unit Load are built to carry one or several unit loads at a time to and from conveyors, stands, end-of-line equipment (palletizers, wrappers, robots) as well as automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RSs).

    

Think of a platform on wheels moving by its own delivering very heavy packages to pre-determined locations in a warehouse. AGV Unit Load can handle pallets, drums, boxes, totes, skidded items, etc.

       

Unit loads are utilized in many industries specially in the Food and Beverage industry. 

      

Unit Load Carrier AGV are the best solution for transferring material from/to conveyors in production or warehouses.

        

       

Related articles...to  learn more about agvs

  

What is a LGV Vehicle? LGV Advantages and Disadvantages

  

Automated guided vehicle (agv) market - Size and Growth

     

VNA AGV - List of Manufacturers and Characteristics of Very Narrow Aisle Robots

 

Automated Pallet Jack . Discovering the Self Driving Pallet Jack

 

✅ 7 Advantages of Mobile Cobots. The next collaborative robot frontier.

  

Warehouse Drones Inspections – The era of autonomous inventory count


Linkedin Written by Alfredo Pastor Tella (agvnetwork editor).

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Category: TYPES OF AGV