Where is AGV Used? Key Applications of Automated Guided Vehicles

Automated Guided Vehicles are becoming an essential part of modern logistics and manufacturing. Designed to transport materials safely and efficiently, AGVs reduce labour costs, enhance productivity, and minimise errors. But where exactly are AGVs used? This article explores the key industries and application scenarios where AGVs deliver the most value.

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) have become indispensable intelligent devices in modern logistics and manufacturing. With their safe, stable, and efficient material handling capabilities, AGVs help businesses reduce labour costs, improve production efficiency, and minimise errors.

As a manufacturer specialising in intelligent material handling robots, AiTEN Robotics has implemented unmanned forklift solutions across multiple industries, driving the advancement of logistics automation.

So, in which specific industries are they applied? This article will guide you through the typical application scenarios of AGVs.

Application Industries

All industries can benefit from the use of AGVs, including but not limited to: food, aerospace, automotive, energy, warehousing and distribution, manufacturing, injection mould replacement, and future industries yet to be discovered.

1. Warehousing and Distribution

Warehouses are one of the primary environments where AGVs operate. They move pallets, cartons, and goods across storage areas, picking zones, and shipping docks. AGVs help warehouses optimise space, reduce manual labour, and ensure continuous 24/7 operation. According to MHI’s report on warehouse automation, automation technologies like AGVs are critical to meeting the rising demand for faster e-commerce fulfilment.

• Application examples: pallet transport, automated storage and retrieval, and goods-to-person picking.
• Case study: AiTEN Robotics' unmanned forklifts have been applied in multiple smart warehousing projects. Through laser SLAM navigation and high-precision forklift operations, they achieve fully automated storage and retrieval of goods, significantly enhancing warehouse throughput capacity.

2. Automotive Industry

The automotive industry is one of the early adopters of AGVs. On automotive production lines, AGVs are used to transport vehicle bodies, engines, and components, thereby improving production efficiency and ensuring high-precision assembly line operations.

• Typical applications: component delivery, production line material sorting, and just-in-time production.
• Case study: At an automotive components factory, AiTEN Robotics' unmanned forklifts handle component transportation tasks, enhancing safety while ensuring that production rhythms are not disrupted.

3. Food and Beverage Industry

In the food and beverage industry, AGVs can be used to transport raw materials and packaged finished products. They reduce the risk of contamination, improve logistics efficiency, and replace human labour in unsuitable environments where long working hours are required.

• Typical applications: raw material transport, cold storage environment goods transport, and finished product transfer.

4. Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare

The pharmaceutical industry has extremely high requirements for safety and accuracy. AGVs are increasingly being used in pharmaceutical factories and hospitals to ensure compliance, reduce human contact, and guarantee hygiene and safety. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) points out that the use of AGVs and mobile robots in medical logistics is growing rapidly to ensure efficient and contactless material flow.

• Typical applications: distribution of pharmaceutical raw materials, transportation of finished medicines, and distribution of hospital supplies.

5. Aerospace

AGVs also play an important role in industries that require the transport of large, heavy materials. They play an important role in ensuring personnel safety and reducing the risk of damage to high-value materials.

• Typical applications: aircraft component transport, heavy machinery transport, steel coil transport.

6. Packaging Industry

The use of AGVs is growing rapidly in the packaging industry. From companies that produce packaging materials to those that frequently package various products, many companies have reported that AGVs have had a positive impact on their businesses. Today, AGVs are reliably delivering significant cost savings across all stages of the packaging industry. Typical packaging applications include:

• Moving empty pallets, cans, bottles, containers, labels, layers or sheets, lids/caps, wrapping paper, etc.
• Transporting products from the end of the production line to temporary storage or storage areas.
• Transporting materials from storage locations to points of use.

Applications of AGVs in Other Manufacturing Industries

Automated guided vehicle systems are used to perform tasks that are typically handled by forklifts, conveyor systems, or manual carts. They transport large quantities of materials from point A to point B. AGVs can also be used to transport materials from warehouses to production lines, or from one production line to another. As long as the environment is controllable, AGVs can be used in a variety of environments.

1. Raw Material Transportation

AGVs are commonly used in industrial environments to transport raw materials such as metals, chemicals, plastics, and paper. They replace conveyor belts and can seamlessly transfer these materials from receiving docks to storage areas or directly to production lines. This capability ensures a continuous and reliable supply of raw materials to production areas, eliminating delays and improving efficiency.

2. Semi-finished product transport

In manufacturing environments, AGVs are used to transport semi-finished products to different stages of production. They move materials or components from warehouses to production lines or workstations, thereby optimising the flow of goods throughout the manufacturing process. This continuous movement is crucial for maintaining a smooth, uninterrupted production process, thereby increasing productivity and reducing the likelihood of downtime.

3. Transporting finished products

Once the production process is complete, AGVs are used to transport finished products from the production line to the warehouse or shipping area. This automated transport method minimises the risk of damage to finished products and ensures timely delivery to the warehouse or shipping dock, ready for distribution.

まとめ

The application of AGVs is no longer limited to factories, but has gradually expanded to multiple industries such as warehousing, automotive, food, medicine, e-commerce, and aerospace. With their safety, reliability, and efficiency, they are becoming an important cornerstone of Industry 4.0.

With the continuous growth of automation demand, the application scope of AGVs will inevitably expand further and play an increasingly important role in the global supply chain.

As an industry innovator, AiTEN Robotics' unmanned forklifts are helping businesses achieve logistics digitalisation upgrades through high delivery rates, strong technical capabilities, and a comprehensive product portfolio.

Contact us to explore automation solutions for your factory.