Mobile robots are everywhere: self-driving taxis, room service robots in hotels, and recently, a humanoid robot Olympics took place in China. This raises the question for the entrepreneurial manufacturing leader: Are industrial mobile robots right for my factory or shop floor? Industrial mobile robots can help you combat labor shortages, reduce time wasted moving parts across your facility, and boost safety. From simple guided vehicles to advanced autonomous movers, industrial mobile robots are becoming an increasingly practical solution to these challenges — even for small manufacturers and machine shops.“We’re still a young company. We launched in 2019, and our MARC robotic carts are already in hundreds of manufacturing facilities — big and small — in North America,” says Hans Dittmar, vice president - marketing of MūL Technologies.AMRs and AGVsThere are two basic kinds of industrial mobile robots:Automated guided vehicles (AGVs)Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) Developed in the 1950s for use in warehouses and automotive manufacturing, AGVs follow fixed paths, guided by magnetic tape, wires, optical lines, or QR codes. Because their navigation is predefined, AGVs move materials reliably but lack flexibility. For instance, like trains on a track, AGVs stop in front of obstacles and often need human intervention to continue to their destination. AMRs use intelligent, flexible, and infrastructure-free navigation to avoid obstacles on the fly. Typically more expensive than AGVs, AMRs, which emerged in the 1990s, utilize advanced sensors, cameras, LiDAR, and algorithms to map environments dynamically. Autonomous mobile manipulator robots (AMMRs) are a subset of AMRs. Ideal for warehouses, AMMRs feature built-in manipulator arms that enable them to pick, sort, and handle objects and move them. Head-to-Head: AGV vs. AMRRobot typeAGVAMRNavigationFixed pathDynamic mapping Key TechnologiesMagnetic, QR codesLiDAR, sensors, AIPricingStart at $15,000Can exceed $100,000Typical environmentsControlled Unstructured, dynamicObstacle handlingStops, requires manual help Avoids, re-routes How Industrial Mobile Robots Benefit ManufacturersIndustrial mobile robots (IMRs) help manufacturers in several key ways. First, they can help your workers focus on their most valuable tasks. An AGV can move parts, equipment, and finished products to the other side of your facility, freeing machinists to focus on machining parts. IMRs can also improve safety in your shop by reducing forklift traffic and on-the-job injuries. Ultimately, this technology provides many manufacturers with a pathway to increasingly automated work that is scalable and doesn’t require major retooling.Costs and ROIAGVs are typically the less expensive option. You can install an AGV system in your shop for about $15,000. AMRs tend to be more expensive, with systems often exceeding six figures. Integrating the AMR into your existing automation can add costs. If you’re not entirely sure that AGVs or AMRs are right for your shop, leasing or Robots-as-a-service (RaaS) can lower the barrier to entry. This approach can also enable you to gauge whether you’re seeing ROI, which can take many forms, such as more productivity from your skilled workers and increased safety. Real Robots in ActionA warehouse deployed the MūL Technologies (IMTS booth 236640) MARC robotic cart, which took over transporting inventory to shipping, freeing up workers for more profitable tasks. The warehouse facility calculated that the MARC cart was on track to save $24,000 in hourly wages annually for a technology that cost about $20,000. “Every facility has wasted time, and reclaiming that time can help your bottom line,” MuL Technologies’ Dittmar says. At IMTS 2024, MūL Technologies demonstrated its MARC robotic cart. Boston Dynamics (IMTS booth 236620) makes one of the most recognizable industrial robots, “Spot." This four-legged AMR debuted in 2020 at a price point of $75,000. Boston Dynamics says there are more than 2,000 Spots in action. Used by Nestle Purina for automated inspections in its packaging lines, Spot allows Nestle Purina to predict and plan repairs better and free maintenance technicians for higher-value tasks. At IMTS 2024, Boston Dynamics featured Spot, a four-legged AMR.Are IMRs right for you? From the world’s largest factories to small machine shops, industrial mobile robots are helping manufacturers in various industries — automotive, chemicals, oil and gas, and more. How should you decide if an IMR (or a fleet of them) is right for your facility? Here are a few questions to ask yourself when making your decision:Do you have a stable layout and predictable workflow? An AGV is likely the right choice for your needs. Are your floor layouts constantly changing, and is flexibility a top priority? An AMR is your likely choice.Other key factors to consider are your budget, your IT department’s readiness, and the amount of workforce training necessary. Explore the New FrontierIMRs aren’t a futuristic technology; they are practical tools that can help you increase the competitiveness of your operation while cutting waste and boosting safety. At IMTS 2026, Sept. 14-19, 2026, in Chicago, you can see these robots in action, talk with the experts, and explore solutions for your shop. Start planning now: use the IMTS Search function and Show Planner to discover technologies and build connections.Mark your calendar for IMTS 2026, Register today at IMTS.com/Register!
As industrial mobile robots become more accessible, manufacturers are asking if automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are right for their shop floor.
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