Differences between AGVs and AMRs
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AGV AND AMR

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AGV is a vehicle, AMR is a robot.

We will explain in detail the differences between AGVs and AMRs.

Please see the table below.

	AGV	AMR (Next-Generation AGV)
Navigation method	Guided navigation (requires guide)	Autonomous navigation (no guide required/guideless)
Range of movement	Fixed route	Autonomously calculated route
Collaboration with people	Improper	Possible
Dealing with obstacles	Stop	Avoiding, rerouting

Navigation method

The biggest difference between AGVs and AMRs is in the navigation method. This difference is the distinction between and definition of AGVs and AMRs.

AGV

AGV is an abbreviation for automated guided vehicle. It is also called a self-guided vehicle or automatic guided vehicle. JISD6801 defines an AGV as "a vehicle that has the function of automatically traveling in a certain area and transporting goods other than humans such as loads, and is not used on roads stipulated by the Road Traffic Act." Its definition is still a vehicle.

AMR

Among AGVs, those that do not require guide like magnetic tape (guideless) and estimate their own position based on information from built-in sensors are generally called AMRs (autonomous mobile robots). They are also called a guideless AGV and next-generation AGV. It may be considered that the concept of a vehicle that runs within a predetermined condition has evolved into a robot that moves by its own judgment.

Range of movement

Due to the difference in navigation method between AGVs and AMRs, there is a difference in the range of movement as well.

AGV

As mentioned above, AGVs run on fixed routes set by magnetic tapes and other inductors. Therefore, they cannot run in places where inductors are not installed, and if there is an obstacle on the fixed route, they will stop and will not be able to run. In order to run smoothly without interfering with work, it is essential to secure a place without obstacles and to install inductors.

AMR

On the other hand, AMRs travel along routes that are automatically calculated according to the surrounding environment. Therefore, even if there are people or obstacles on the travel route, they can avoid them or slow down to deal with them. Since there is no need to install magnetic tape or other guides (guideless), the destination can be easily changed according to the situation. This makes it possible to introduce AGVs to new locations where they have not been introduced before.

*The differences between AMRs and AGVs that we have explained so far are summarized in the diagram below.

AMR is a robot developed to work with humans.

Collaborative work with people

The development concepts of AGVs and AMRs are also very different.
Unlike AGVs, which are vehicles that simply "transport things from point A to point B," AMRs are designed as robots that "transport things in places that share their operating range with people."
AMR has the great advantage of allowing humans and robots to build a complementary relationship.
Because of this difference, AMRs are not just a variation of AGVs, but an entirely new entity with a different design concept from AGVs.

Did you understand the differences between AGVs and AMRs? One is a vehicle and the other is a robot. Even if they look the same, what they are is completely different.