What is an AGV?
Technical definition
Automated Guided Vehicle – driverless trucks and transport vehicles following predefined routes using wires, magnets, lasers or camera-based navigation. More modern variants (AMR, Autonomous Mobile Robots) navigate freely using SLAM technology.
In brief
AGVs automate internal transport – but they are only as good as the network, the integrations and the information structure they connect to.
The Challenge
An AGV fleet is an IT/OT system on wheels: it requires seamless wireless coverage (WiFi or private 5G), integration with warehouse and production systems for transport orders, traffic management when several vehicles share areas – and a safety solution meeting the machinery directive. Many AGV projects underestimate precisely the infrastructure: the vehicle works perfectly in the demo but loses the network behind a pillar in reality. And when the AGV supplier’s fleet manager does not talk to your MES, transport becomes a manual island again.
HubMind’s Methodology
We treat AGV adoption as an integration project, not a vehicle purchase. The requirements start in the information flow: who creates the transport order, which systems need to know where the goods are, and how is the outcome reported back? Transport tasks belong in the same information model as production and warehouse – with the same identities and the same naming convention.
The infrastructure is specified in parallel: network coverage, segmentation and cybersecurity according to IEC 62443. Standard interfaces such as VDA 5050 let fleets from different suppliers be coordinated – and protect you against vendor lock-in.
Warnings & Pitfalls
The demo trap: An AGV that impresses at the trade fair says nothing about your floor space, your truck aisles and your network coverage. Require a pilot in the real environment.
Proprietary fleet management: Without standard interfaces (e.g. VDA 5050), adding vehicles from other suppliers becomes practically impossible.
The network as an afterthought: Roaming drops and dead zones are the most common cause of stopped AGVs – not the vehicles themselves.
💡Our Recommendation
Start in the information flow: Define the transport order’s path through the systems before choosing vehicles.
Specify the network: Coverage measurement, roaming tests and segmentation before procurement.
Require VDA 5050 or equivalent: Fleet management must handle vehicles from multiple suppliers.
Pilot in real operations: With real loads, real traffic and real exceptions.
FAQ
What is the difference between AGV and AMR? AGVs follow fixed routes (wire, magnets, reflectors); AMRs navigate freely with maps and sensors and re-plan their route themselves. The line is blurring – the network and integration requirements are the same.
Do AGVs require 5G? Not necessarily. Well-dimensioned WiFi with good roaming is often enough – but private 5G gives better predictability in large or interference-heavy environments.
How are AGVs integrated with MES/WMS? Via the fleet manager: transport orders in, position and confirmation out. Specify the interface as part of the procurement – not as an add-on afterwards.
HubMind’s related pages:
MES, Network segmentation and IEC 62443
Standards & frameworks:
VDA 5050 – Standard interface for AGV fleet management
ISO 3691-4 – Safety requirements for driverless industrial trucks
Planning driverless transport in your facility?
HubMind helps you specify integration, network and safety – so the fleet delivers in operations, not just in the demo.