Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

The number of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) ordered last year was down from the big numbers posted in 2004 and 2005, but business remains strong.

By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 8/1/2007

The number of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) ordered last year was down from the big numbers posted in 2004 and 2005, but business remains strong. The average size of a new AGV system last year was 4.3 vehicles. The overall average for the last 10 years is about 5 vehicles. Most of these AGVs are put to use in manufacturing and production applications, with a small percentage each year installed in distribution centers.

All statistics on this page are provided by the Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems product section of Material Handling Industry of America (AGVs, MHIA) and include order data from member companies only.

*make equipment for AGVs
Danaher Motion*	www.danahermotion.com
Egemin Automation	www.egeminusa.com
FMC Technologies	www.fmcsgvs.com
Frog Navigation Systems	www.frog.nl
HK Systems	www.hksystems.com
Jervis B. Webb Co.	www.jervisbwebb.com
SICK*	www.sickusa.com
Transbotics	www.transbotics.com

Current trends
"We've seen a resurgence in simple AGVs like automatic guided carts that are less sophisticated than traditional AGVs. Carts offer quick payback, quick installation and easy training. They're a simple way to address labor shortages."

—Claude Imbleau, Transbotics (chair, AGVS MHIA)

"A new market is developing where AGVs are used to automatically load standard over-the-road trailers. Automating this process reduces labor costs, improves dock safety, improves loading accuracy and shortens turnaround time."

—Mark Longacre, FMC Technologies (vice chair, AGVS MHIA)

Current trends

"We've seen a resurgence in simple AGVs like automatic guided carts that are less sophisticated than traditional AGVs. Carts offer quick payback, quick installation and easy training. They're a simple way to address labor shortages."

—Claude Imbleau, Transbotics (chair, AGVS MHIA)

"A new market is developing where AGVs are used to automatically load standard over-the-road trailers. Automating this process reduces labor costs, improves dock safety, improves loading accuracy and shortens turnaround time."

—Mark Longacre, FMC Technologies (vice chair, AGVS MHIA)

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