AGV vs AMR — Which Mobile Robot Is Right for Your Plant?
Both move material around your factory without a driver. The difference is how they decide where to go — and that decision changes cost, install effort, and flexibility. Here's the practical comparison for Sri Lankan manufacturers.
Your routes are stable, your budget is tight, you move heavy payloads, and you want proven, low-risk tech.
Your layout changes often, you need to coexist with workers in busy walkways, or you're building a modern flexible warehouse.
AGV vs AMR across 12 dimensions
The honest engineering comparison — what each technology actually delivers, with no marketing fluff.
| Dimension | AGV | AMR |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | Fixed paths — magnetic tape, QR codes, reflectors on floor | Free navigation — onboard LIDAR + SLAM builds and uses a live map |
| Path changes | Re-lay tape / re-mark floor (hours of work) | Software update — no physical changes |
| Obstacle handling | Stops and waits when blocked | Routes around the obstacle and continues |
| Installation effort | Higher — floor prep, tape layout, fixed charging points | Lower — drop in, map the space, define stops |
| Upfront cost per unit | Lower | Higher (LIDAR + compute + advanced software) |
| Ongoing flexibility | Best when layout and routes are stable | Best when layout, products, or processes change often |
| Typical payload | 50 kg – 30 ton (cart-train tuggers to port containers) | 50 kg – 1500 kg (most installs run sub-500 kg) |
| Speed | 0.5 – 2.0 m/s typical | 0.5 – 2.0 m/s typical (slows around people) |
| WiFi requirement | Only for fleet management — navigation is independent | WiFi recommended for fleet management; not strictly required for navigation |
| Safety standards | Mature — well-understood for SLOTH compliance | Newer — requires careful safety LIDAR setup, ISO 3691-4 compliance |
| Maturity | 40+ years of industrial deployment | ~10 years mainstream, fast-evolving |
| Best fit | High-volume repetitive routes — automotive, paper, beverage, textile, port | Mixed workflows — e-commerce, hospitals, dynamic warehouses |
Six signs an AGV is the right call
- Your routes are stable and won't change much for 2+ years
- You move large payloads (>500 kg) on fixed paths
- Budget is the primary constraint
- You want proven, low-risk technology
- You can lay tape or markers on the floor
- You operate single or dual shifts on predictable routes
Six signs an AMR is the right call
- Your layout changes seasonally or by product run
- You need mixed traffic with workers and machines
- You want goods-to-person picking in a warehouse
- You need dynamic obstacle avoidance (busy walkways)
- You're willing to pay 50-100% more per unit for flexibility
- You have or are building a modern IT infrastructure (WiFi, MES, WMS)
Honest take for SL plants in 2026
In our experience working with Sri Lankan apparel, food processing, and warehouse operators, AGV with magnetic-tape navigation is the right answer for 80% of deployments today. The routes don't change daily, the budgets are meaningful but not unlimited, and the proven simplicity of AGV gets the project live faster.
AMR makes sense when you're a fashion brand with monthly line changeovers, a 3PL with constantly-shifting customer SKUs, or a hospital where the layout has been accreted over decades. For the rest — AGV wins on cost, simplicity, and supportability.
Cerox designs and builds both. We don't push you toward whichever has higher margin for us — we recommend whichever matches your actual constraints. Site visit before proposal, always.
Still not sure which fits your plant?
Tell us about your facility, what you're moving, and how often the routes change. We'll come back within 48 hours with a recommendation and a site-visit plan — no obligation.
AGV vs AMR — common questions
What is the main difference between AGV and AMR?+
AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) follows a fixed path defined by physical cues on the floor — magnetic tape, QR codes, or reflectors. AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) uses onboard LIDAR and SLAM to navigate dynamically without floor markings. AGVs are cheaper and more mature; AMRs are more flexible and more expensive.
Which is cheaper — AGV or AMR?+
AGVs are typically 30-70% cheaper than AMRs per unit, mainly because they don't need expensive LIDAR sensors and complex navigation software. However, AGVs have higher installation costs (floor prep, tape layout) which can narrow the total-cost gap.
Can I switch from AGV to AMR later?+
In most cases, no — the navigation hardware is fundamentally different. If you start with magnetic-tape AGVs and later need AMR flexibility, you're typically replacing the fleet rather than upgrading. This is why deciding correctly upfront matters.
Are AMRs safer than AGVs?+
Both are safe when properly deployed. AMRs have an edge in mixed-traffic environments because they dynamically avoid obstacles instead of stopping. AGVs stop when blocked, which is safe but can disrupt operations. Both must comply with ISO 3691-4 safety standards.
Do I need WiFi for AGV or AMR?+
For the robot itself to navigate: AGVs don't need WiFi (they follow the floor markings); AMRs benefit from WiFi but can operate offline using onboard maps. For fleet management (dashboards, mission assignment, multi-robot coordination): both need WiFi to talk to a central server.
Which industries use AGVs and which use AMRs?+
AGVs dominate in manufacturing (automotive, paper, beverage), port logistics, garment plants (tugger AGVs for bundle delivery), and high-volume distribution centers. AMRs are growing fastest in e-commerce fulfilment (goods-to-person), hospitals (sample/meal delivery), and modern flexible warehouses.
How long does deployment take — AGV vs AMR?+
AGV deployment with magnetic tape: 10-16 weeks contract-to-live (includes 6-10 weeks build/source). AMR deployment: 8-14 weeks (less floor prep, more software configuration). Cerox typically scopes both with a Phase 1 pilot before fleet expansion.
Does Cerox build AGVs or import them?+
Cerox designs and builds AGVs in Sri Lanka using proven BLDC drive components, magnetic-tape sensors, safety LIDAR, and Arduino + Raspberry Pi control stacks. We source components globally but assembly, integration, software, and support all happen locally — meaning same-day response, no overseas vendor lock-in.