AGV vs. AMR: Can software eliminate the differences?
While both AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) are mobile robots used for material handling, there is an ongoing debate about the key differences between the two. According to common belief, AGVs are typically used in structured environments, following markers or predefined virtual routes, while AMRs can operate in dynamic and unstructured environments, using advanced algorithms to navigate & make decisions in real-time. But what do you do if you have structured and unstructured environments in different areas of the same factory or warehouse? Do you use an AGV or an AMR?
Why choose if you can have both?
At NODE, we believe that the right software solution can reduce the differences between AGVs and AMRs to an extent where it is no longer necessary to choose between the two technologies, but rather combine the best of both worlds.
How? Our NODE.OS allows users to easily customize the autonomy levels of an AMR. Depending on the task and operating environment, an AMR can be set up to behave like an AGV. NODE.OS gives you the freedom to program the AMR to follow predetermined rules in specific areas/environments, while still retaining the advantages of an AMR, such as adaptability to changing environments and ease of use.
The good news is that nowadays, modern AGVs are already equipped with all the necessary hardware, including safety scanners and IPC, to be upgraded to a flexible and configurable AMR, simply by using a hardware-agnostic software stack, our NODE.OS.
Reach out to our team to get more information about our configurable autonomy functions, including, continuous map updates, map fusion, zone based and dynamic navigation, collaborative path planning, and many more.
Visit www.node-robotics.com for more information.
