Application & Technology Trends in Mobile Robotics

Differentiating AGV from AMR

The fundamental difference between an AGV and AMR is their level of intelligence. Both enable some automation, but an AGV obeys basic orders to move according to a pre-assigned route and avoid hitting obstacles. When met with new or unexpected scenarios, an AGV is less capable of adapting in a versatile manner like an AMR. An AMR beats an AGV in its capacity to learn and adapt to new situations, such as replanning its route after meeting with an obstacle and using these experiences to improve future efficiency and accuracy.

Because AGV systems are simpler, they are also generally less expensive to acquire. However, the necessary guidance system requires greater installation cost and time. Where flexibility and changes are needed over time, an AMR system may prove more economical in the long run.

AMR solutions are more sophisticated, using sensors, processors, and navigation algorithms to move around a facility without the need for physical guides. AMR systems generally read their environment and operate dynamically based on inputs. They can adjust their routes based on obstacles and learn how to improve their operations over time.

Current and future applications for AGVs

Vehicle and robot designers will have an unending series of industries to automate over the next twenty years. Acceptance of automated and autonomous vehicles will expand from industry towards the consumer. AGVs are safe — but must be carefully and professionally implemented. Some observers see AGVs remaining as a viable alternative, perhaps combined with on-board autonomous robots to execute specific activities.

AGV solutions are widely deployed in warehouse and manufacturing environments in industries like automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and printing. Investment in fixed guidance systems can quickly pay back for operations with a high level of easily defined repetitive tasks from inbound materials receiving, through picking and replenishment, to outbound shipment.

Current and future applications for AMRs

Most observers predict that AMRs are the technology of the future and will be able to replace AGVs in all applications over time.

AMRs can be used in a wider range of industries because they are generally more flexible in how they operate and interact with or react to their environment. They are or will be deployed in these applications and more:

Stock picking in a warehouse or e-commerce fulfillment center
Disinfection tasks in a hospital
Moving medical supplies and test samples throughout a hospital or lab
Floor sweeping and scrubbing in any building
Lawn mowing in commercial or residential areas
Security tasks like patrol, observation, monitoring, investigation, and detection of intruders
Last-mile delivery of e-commerce packages
Evaluating inventory levels and validating pricing in grocery stores
Room service and cleaning supply delivery for hospitality operators

Multi-purpose robots can automate two or more tasks at once and save even more money – imagine a floor scrubber in your local grocery store actively scanning your shelves for inventory management while it also cleans your floor.

Charging system options

It’s more than just volts and amps. Incorporating the right battery charger solutions for individual machines or fleet operations is an important design consideration. Returning energy to batteries in a safe, appropriate, and efficient way requires a deep understanding of how batteries react to charge and discharge. Lithium batteries require Battery Management Systems to ensure safety and CAN bus communications provide significant operational benefits.

Most often, offboard charging is provided through a docking station at central or distributed locations throughout the facility, with high-power battery chargers quickly providing substantial energy to lithium battery packs on a rotating basis. Guided by the telematics information that is constantly collected, individual machines requiring energy are pulled temporarily out of service and routed to a docking station for recharge.
Onboard charging makes sense for equipment that is operating less than 24/7 or where there is a 1:1 ratio of machines to chargers. This may be likely for single or two-shift warehouses with AGV forklifts, or for floor care machines that clean facilities overnight and recharge during the day.
Battery swapping may be an attractive option in the heaviest duty cycle scenarios – where the equipment can’t make it through its daily operations on a single charge and can't be removed from service long enough to charge.

About Delta-Q Technologies and Zapi Group

Delta-Q Technologies is charging the future and driving the world’s transition into electric energy! We collaboratively design, test, and manufacture robust battery chargers that improve the performance of our customer’s electric drive vehicles and industrial machines.

As the supplier of choice for Tier 1 OEMs, we use our values, perseverance, and engineering expertise to guide our customers through the electrification process for a sustainable world.

We're also part of the Zapi Group, a global leader in electronic speed controllers and associated products for battery and hybrid-powered electric vehicles.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Delta-Q’s team and distribution spans five continents to service industries such as electric golf cars, lift trucks, aerial work platforms, e-mobility, floor care machines, utility/recreational vehicles and new markets, like outdoor power equipment.