If you're automating material movement in a warehouse or plant, you'll compare AGVs (automated guided vehicles) and AMRs (autonomous mobile robots). They look similar but navigate — and cost — very differently.
AGVs: fixed paths, proven throughput
AGVs follow predefined routes using markers, magnetic tape or wires in the floor. They are reliable and predictable for high-volume, repetitive point-to-point moves, but changing a route means changing the infrastructure.
AMRs: flexible, map-based navigation
AMRs build a map of the space and plan their own paths, routing around obstacles and people. They are far more flexible — you can add tasks and change layouts in software — which suits dynamic operations and smaller batch sizes.
How to choose
Weigh flexibility against upfront cost and volume:
- Stable, high-volume routes and tight budget → AGV.
- Changing layouts, mixed tasks, shared aisles with people → AMR.
- Existing floor infrastructure you can reuse → AGV.
- Fastest path to reconfigurable automation → AMR.
Browse verified AGVs and mobile robots on Elai Marketplace, compare navigation and payload, and add installation and spare parts with escrow protection.