AGV stand for automatic guided vehicle. Automatic guided vehicles are designed to operate without a driver and are usually laser guided. The vehicles run along a fixed path or are free ranging (using laser guidance). AGV forklifts are used to transport pallets and use sensors to negotiate racking and pallets.

 

AGV systems are not to be confused with electronic wire guidance systems with narrow aisle or very narrow aisle:

 

- AGV is an automatic system where machines operate without drivers.

- EWG is a man-operated system which requires a driver.

 

The main difference between AGV and EWG is cost. The initial investment in an AGV warehouse system is three times the investment in an EWG system with very narrow aisles. Because of its automatic nature, AGV is less flexible than EWG and cannot be used for tasks such as order picking where whole pallets of stock are not required. AGV also requires pallets to be similarly sized and accurately positioned to function properly.

 

Rail systems are also often used in place of EWG. Click on the link to see how rail systems compare with electronic wire guidance.