Product Guide: What Tasks Can An Automated Guided Vehicle Perform?

In 2019, 75,000 logistics robots were sold globally; in 2025, this figure rose significantly to 450,000. Automation continues to grow in demand, especially within manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, FMCG, food production, and packaging operations. And automated guided vehicles (AGVs) can help further streamline your operations for maximum efficiency.

RMGroup has been designing and building AGVs and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for several years. And in 2025, RMGroup launched the UK’s first hyper-flexible AMR in collaboration with Siemens, and has seen a variety of sectors benefit from their incorporation. In this product guide, our experts will walk you through what an AGV is, the tasks it can perform, and why it’s an essential part of modern automation.

What Is An Automated Guided Vehicle?

AGVs are driverless, automated robots that follow a pre-programmed route to carry out specific tasks with minimal human intervention. They’re most commonly used for transporting pallets, raw materials, work-in-progress inventory, and finished goods throughout industrial facilities.

AGVs can navigate through a range of guidance systems, such as magnetic tape or wire, or even laser navigation, and utilise sensor systems to ensure they avoid obstacles and potential collisions for a safe working environment.

AGVs are often confused with AMRs, but they are very different in how they operate. While AGVs rely on fixed, pre-programmed routes, AMRs move freely using real-time camera feeds and uploaded maps as a guide. 

Why Businesses Are Investing In AGV Automation

As we’ve already seen, robotics and automation are becoming a necessity for businesses, not an optional addition to operations. So, as businesses invest more in automation, why should they add AGVs to their processes?

• Labour Shortages: 9.10 million adults are economically inactive, meaning automated robots are becoming essential to ensure continued operations.
• Rising Operational Costs: With costs continuing to increase, investments into enhancing automation are crucial to ensure sustainable long-term growth.
• Demand for Faster Fulfilment: Humans can only work so fast while also ensuring a high level of accuracy. So, improving your automations will help to make operations and production more efficient.
• Health & Safety Improvements: Similarly, some tasks, such as moving products or pallets, can be dangerous, so using robots like an AGV can improve workplace health and safety.

Now let’s take a closer look at the types of tasks performed by AGVs.

What Tasks Do Automated Guided Vehicles Perform?

Pallet Transport

AGVs are an effortless pallet automation solution, moving pallets with ease between production and storage bays and supporting 24/7 operations. As a result, forklift traffic reduces, making the workplace more productive and safe.

Raw Material Delivery

AGVs are also widely used to supply and replenish production lines with the necessary materials and products, which reduces downtime and ensures consistency across the production line.

Warehouse Replenishment

Similarly, AGVs can help with replenishing all areas of the warehouse, from moving stock to delivering supplies to picking areas. This improves inventory flow from start to finish and supports better order fulfilment.

Finished Goods Transport

AGVs can support wider automation integrations, such as conveyors and pallet wrapping systems, to move fully packaged products to dispatch for distribution. Discover how to optimise your end-of-line packaging automation in our guide.

Towing & Cart Handling

Depending on your AGV, it can be capable of towing multiple carts across your facility, reducing manual labour and workplace injuries and improving efficiency. This is particularly useful for large manufacturing facilities with heavy materials and equipment.

Order Picking Support

Robotic automation isn’t replacing people. In fact, AGVs can assist warehouse staff with their tasks, such as order picking. AGVs can reduce repetitive travel time, enhancing good-to-person workflows and general warehouse operations.

How To Choose The Right AGV System for Your Industry

With over 30 years of experience in delivering tailored automation solutions to our clients, we’ve seen first-hand that AGVs can support a wide variety of sectors, including:

• Logistics & Warehousing
• Food & Beverage
• Manufacturing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Ecommerce & Retail

But how do you pick the right system for your business? We’d recommend considering the following aspects:

• Load Type & Weight: Think about your materials and product, and how much they weigh. This will help to determine the size of the AGV you require.
• Facility Layout: Does your facility have the infrastructure for an AGV? Similar to a forklift, AGVs need space to move while also ensuring safety compliance is met.
• Integration Requirements: If you’re already using automations, you’ll need an AGV that can seamlessly integrate with existing systems and software to ensure smooth operations.
• Scalability: If you plan to scale your operations, you should consider investing in an AGV that has the capability to do so. This will save time and money in the long run.

This is why bespoke automation design and integration are essential. Customised solutions will ensure your business’s operational needs are met while also making sure you have the capacity to grow and keep your staff safe and compliant.

RMGroup Can Help

Whether you’re looking to improve your warehouse operations, streamline pallet handling, or invest in robotic automation, RMGroup can provide the right AGV (or AMR) for you.

Our expert team can support you at every step, from the initial consultation to manufacturing and integrating your tailored solution, as well as offering regular servicing and maintenance. 

Get in touch with us today to discover our bespoke robotic automation solutions.