Glossary · Robotics
Automated guided vehicle (AGV)
Also known as: Driverless industrial truck, AGV
German: Fahrerloses Transportfahrzeug (FTF)
In intralogistics, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) is a driverless vehicle that transports loads along predefined routes, guided by wires, magnetic tape, markers, reflectors or stored maps. Its safety requirements are covered by ISO 3691-4 for driverless industrial trucks and their systems.
- Robotics
- Standards
In one sentence
An AGV is a driverless vehicle that moves loads along predefined routes using guidance such as tape, markers or maps.
Example
Three AGVs carry pallets from the stretch wrapper to the shipping area along a fixed magnetic-tape route and stop at each transfer station.
How it applies
- Engineering: The guidance method, load handling device, battery concept and the fleet controller are chosen together with the plant layout. Personnel detection usually relies on a Safety laser scanner with speed-dependent protective fields.
- Commissioning: Routes, stop positions and protective field sets are taught and tested on site; the operating zones and any restricted or confined areas are marked on the floor.
- Documentation: Operating instructions describe routes, zones, charging, manual mode and what people in the area must do. The documentation team should keep the zone plan, field-set list and floor markings consistent, and note that the user must keep aisles clear as assumed in the risk assessment.
AGV vs. AMR
An AGV follows predefined paths and stops when an obstacle blocks the way. An Autonomous mobile robot (AMR) plans its own path on a map and can drive around obstacles. Both are driverless vehicles, and in ISO 3691-4 terms both can be driverless industrial trucks; the difference lies in navigation, not in the safety principle.