AMR or AGV? Which robot is the best option for your warehouse?

Robots are becoming an increasingly common part of our lives. Not only at home, nowadays we can also find them in intelligent and modern warehouses, where they have an universal use. Along with saving time, intelligent robotic devices can save a considerable amount of money aswell.

Automation of internal logistics is a challenge for medium and large companies. Thanks to automation it is possible to organize the transport of material, plan deliveries effectively and optimize productivity. Employees can pick the goods easier and more reliably at the same time.

Warehouse automation is a mandatory ride of today

Until recently automated guided vehicles (AGVs) were the only way to automate internal logistics. They have become a mandatory part in large fixed installations, despite the high initial costs and longer payback periods.

The AGV can be controlled by simple programming instructions, but a wire, sensors or magnetic strips are required for navigation. The route is integrated directly in the device or in the floor so its change is usually so expensive that the device must be programmed correctly right at the beginning of its use. Throughout its operation and lifetime the AGV performs the same activity on the same route. If you have a fixed recurring activity in your company that will remain constant in the long run, an automated guided vehicle is the ideal solution for you.

The limitations are fixed routes and the lack of ability of overcoming an obstacle on the route, even though the device can detect it.This can create downtimes which can increase hidden costs for the company. Compared to picking goods only through operators and manually controlled vehicles, this solution is much more suitable for optimizing processes and increasing picking speed.

How to achieve the elimination of downtime and high flexibility? AMR can be the solution

Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) are navigated through maps created directly by the robot passing through the area. AMR uses data from sensors and cameras to create maps and shares the created map to other devices. Thanks to this, they can effectively change their route in real time to overcome an obstacle so there are no downtimes when picking material. The mobile robot contains software that is easily adjustable thanks to a friendly user interface, so it is possible to change its activity and route very quickly if necessary.

Thanks to the simple and fast deployment, the device can be used in a new environment almost immediately and the processes can be optimized very quickly. The operator can call the robot simply by pressing a button or via a mobile application. Mobile robots can be fully autonomous thanks to the use of an open communication platform and the possibility of cooperation with third-party applications. In practice, this means that mobile robots can perform commands and tasks directly from the applications. As an example, we can mention quality control specified by an operator, then a third-party application sends the robot to perform an action - picking up and transferring a pallet without the need to be called directly by the operator. AMR can be upgraded with various accessories such as a robotic arm, pallet lifts or various stands and bins. They have become a safe, reliable and a very efficient alternative to traditional manually operated picking vehicles, such as forklifts. Thanks to their flexibility, speed of movement, self-charging options and affordability, they are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to AGVs.

It is also necessary to think about the need to buy more devices in case of substitutability during charging. When choosing a robot, you also need to think about limiting the size and the maximum weight you can load on the robot. Choosing the right equipment is an important part of the decision-making process. The return on investment is approximately 1,5 to 3 years.

Thanks to their high flexibility and agility, AMRs are suitable for a modern production environment, which can be highly dynamic and requires equipment that can adapt to changes very quickly. If you are optimizing warehousing processes in your company and striving for maximum efficiency, AMR will help you achieve that.

We can implement robots into systems, which we select specifically according to the customer's needs in real warehouse conditions. Based on the environment and activity for which the robot will be needed, we can choose from various suppliers we work with. We will advise you on whether an AMR or AGV device is suitable for you. We can also provide connectivity to systems through an integration platform and create fully autonomously operating mobile robots.