Navigating the Choice: Choosing Between AGV and AMR for Your Fleet

1. The Intelligence HierarchyThe industry has moved beyond magnetic tape. Today, the debate is between Reflector-based Laser Navigation (AGV) and Natural Feature SLAM (AMR).

• AGVs: Use fixed reflectors on walls. They are extremely precise (±10mm) but rigid. If you move a shelf, you must recalibrate the reflectors.

• AMRs: Use onboard LiDAR to "recognize" existing structures (pillars, racks). They offer unmatched flexibility.

2. Dynamic Obstacle AvoidanceAn AGV follows a "virtual rail." If a person walks in front of it, it stops and waits. An AMR, powered by AI Vision, classifies the obstacle. If it's a person, it waits; if it's a stray box, it calculates a path to go around it, maintaining throughput.

3. Deployment Speed

• AGVs: 4–8 weeks for infrastructure installation.

• AMRs: 1–2 weeks (Zero-infrastructure required).