Both automated forklifts and forked AGVs can work autonomously, moving palletized loads without the need for a human driver. However, there are some key differences between these solutions.
Redeveloped forklifts versus autonomous by design
Automated forklifts and forked AGVs are very different vehicles, and it all comes down to the original designs:
An automated forklift is a manual forklift that has been redeveloped by its manufacturer to work autonomously, without a driver. Many automated forklifts are sold as hybrid vehicles, meaning they can work automatically or be driven by a human driver.
Autonomous by design, a forked AGV was never created to be driven manually. Apart from lacking the controls for a human driver, forked AGVs work much as any other forklift and work under similar conditions. Forked AGVs are also known as automated guided forklifts (AGFs), forklift AGVs, or driverless forklifts.
Fundamentally, automated forklifts are a category of lift trucks, while forked AGVs, or AGFs, are a type of automated guided vehicle.
This is how forked AGVs and automated forklifts compare side by side:
Looking at the costs
Forked AGVs can have a higher upfront cost than automated forklifts, typically for two key reasons:
- Automated forklifts have been in industrial use for decades, and most are produced by long-established manufacturers. They have achieved large economies of scale in everything from manufacturing parts to assembly to distribution. This is not the case (yet) with forked AGVs.
- Forked AGVs usually require more R&D than automated forklifts, which means a higher cost in the short to medium term, although prices are slowly coming down. Data from China, for example, indicates that identical forked AGVs decreased in price by as much as 50% between 2015 and 2021. According to the China Mobile Robot and AGV/AMR Industry Alliance, prices have dropped from just over RMB 600,000 to RMB 270,000 (from around 95,000 USD to 42,500 USD)
Forked AGVs are often easier to maintain
While forked AGVs may require a larger up-front investment, they may well cost less to maintain. This is because they have been designed exactly for purpose, not re-adapted. This can mean smoother maintenance and easier repairs.
In addition, non-hybrid vehicles have fewer moving parts (no steering wheel, for example), so fewer things can go wrong. Vehicles that are never driven by humans always work in a controlled, predictable way, which often results in less wear and tear on parts. This is also why they are less likely to cause costly damage to materials and infrastructure than human-driven forklifts.
Note: A ROI Calculator can help you calculate when your automated vehicle investment might pay off versus using manual vehicles.
Automation advantages
Regardless of whether you choose a made-for-purpose forked AGV or a hybrid manual/automated forklift, the benefits of automating your business are wide-ranging.
Automating basic tasks, for example, can improve efficiency, boost productivity, and free up staff to perform more valuable work. There are also benefits to on-site safety, with research showing automated vehicles are significantly safer than their manual counterparts. Manual lift truck accidents, for instance, cause 10% of injuries in warehousing and factories. By contrast, automatic vehicles are equipped with safety features that make accidents under normal working conditions virtually impossible. Moreover, unlike human drivers, they always adhere to posted speed limits.
Finally, when implemented correctly, automation removes the potential for human error, since automated vehicles perform as programmed every time.
*This blog article is based on content kindly provided to us by BlueBotics.
