How to Choose Between Automated Forklifts and AGVs for Your Warehouse?

Both automated forklifts and AGVs can work autonomously, moving palletized loads without the need for a human driver. However, there are some key differences between these solutions.

Automated Forklifts vs AGVs

Automated forklifts and AGVs are very different vehicles, which comes down to the original designs:

An automated forklift is a manual forklift that has been redeveloped by its manufacturer to work autonomously, without a driver. Many automated forklifts are sold as hybrid vehicles, meaning they can work automatically or be driven by a human driver.

Autonomous by design, an AGV was never created to be driven manually. Apart from lacking controls for a human driver, AGVs work much as any other forklift and work under similar conditions. AGVs are also known as automated guided forklifts (AGFs), forklift AGVs, or driverless forklifts.

Fundamentally, automated forklifts are a category of lift trucks, while AGVs, or AGFs, are a type of automated guided vehicle.

Benefits of AGVs

• AGVs require a minimal amount of human interaction. Therefore, businesses can save a significant amount in labor costs.
• AGVs are able to work continuously 24/7, 365 days a year. (Disregarding downtime for repairs and reprogramming).
• They are a great alternative for storage areas, as well as any situation where forklift operators would be uncomfortable for long periods of time.

AiTEN case study：

AMK狭通路AGVが千江冷蔵のスマートファクトリー変革を推進

• AGVs can be fitted to a number of safety devices, including object detection, anti-collision and stopping devices, cameras, laser sensors, bumpers and warning lights, which all work to dramatically reduce collisions and warehouse accidents.

Take AiTEN's APe15 handling robot as an example——The navigation LiDAR comes with obstacle avoidance function, making it a "pioneer team member" in safeguarding safety. The AGV is also equipped with a safety obstacle avoidance radar, which immediately sounds an alarm and slowly stops when an obstacle is detected. There are also warning light, anti-collision contact, etc., which can accurately identify any movement or stillness.

This set of combination punches provides 360° no dead angle protection, ensuring a strong sense of security!

• They result in the reduction of plant noise and exhaust fumes.

• Human errors are minimized, which reduces injuries and accidents in the workplace.
• They can be set up in a very small aisle width, as small as 2 meters space from pallet to pallet.

Benefits of Automated Forklifts

• Automated forklifts have a lower upfront cost compared to AGV technology, along with much lower maintenance costs.
• Automated forklifts operators are far more capable of detecting damaged floors, avoiding debris and any environmental issues that may occur.
• Automated forklifts operators also have the advantage in their ability to flag breakdowns and issues with picking orders.
• AGVs require specialized path mapping and expensive technical programming. Therefore, automated forklifts can complete non-repetitive jobs more quickly and efficiently than AGVs.
• Automated forklifts have better market proven reliability and are more flexible at handling different sized loads and pallets.
• There is a large range of automated forklifts, attachments and safety products designed for specific materials handling needs, which increase productivity and safety.

Automation Advantages

Regardless of whether you choose a made-for-purpose forked AGV or a hybrid manual/automated forklift, the benefits of automating your business are wide-ranging.

Automating basic tasks, for example, can improve efficiency, boost productivity, and free up staff to perform more valuable work. There are also benefits to on-site safety, with research showing automated vehicles are significantly safer than their manual counterparts. Manual lift truck accidents, for instance, cause 10% of injuries in warehousing and factories. By contrast, automatic vehicles are equipped with safety features that make accidents under normal working conditions virtually impossible. Moreover, unlike human drivers, they always adhere to posted speed limits.

Finally, when implemented correctly, automation removes the potential for human error, since automated vehicles perform as programmed every time.

Contact us to explore automation solutions for your factory.