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Compare Your Automated Vehicle Options

Aspect

Transfer Carts

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Comparing Each Option
Control Method Manual or Semi-Automatic Fully Autonomous Semi to Fully automatic
Navigation Track installed on the floor Natural feature navigation Magnetic track or Natural feature navigation
Flexibility Low High Moderate to High
Payload Capacity Up to 3k lbs Up to 3k lbs Various models for various applications up to 10k lbs
Speed Low Moderate to High Low to Moderate
Obstacle Avoidance Tracking Setup to have no obstacles - fenced systems Automatic - 360 sensors Automatic - 360 Sensors
Infrastructure Requirements Minimal Moderate Moderate to High
Travel Distance Short tracked movement from one station to another Variety of distance options Magnetic tape setup would be a predefined distance/Natural Feature Navigation would allow for more flexibility like the AMR
Safety Features Integrated with a robot system and fencing 360 Safety Sensors - speed slows and stops 360 Safety Sensors - speed slows and stops
Cost Lower upfront cost Moderate upfront cost Higher upfront cost
Industry Applications Pallet Transport Pallet Transport, Warehouse movement Warehouse movement, Pallet Transport
Use Cases Material transport within a fixed path Flexible material transport Material transport within a fixed path or flexible
Comparing Each Option

Aspect

Control Method

Transfer Carts

Manual or Semi-Automatic

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Fully Autonomous

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Semi to Fully automatic

Aspect

Navigation

Transfer Carts

Track installed on the floor

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Natural feature navigation

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Magnetic track or Natural feature navigation

Aspect

Flexibility

Transfer Carts

Low

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

High

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Moderate to High

Aspect

Payload Capacity

Transfer Carts

Up to 3k lbs

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Up to 3k lbs

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Various models for various applications up to 10k lbs

Aspect

Speed

Transfer Carts

Low

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Moderate to High

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Low to Moderate

Aspect

Obstacle Avoidance

Transfer Carts

Tracking Setup to have no obstacles - fenced systems

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Automatic - 360 sensors

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Automatic - 360 sensors

Aspect

Infrastructure Requirements

Transfer Carts

Minimal

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Moderate

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Moderate to High

Aspect

Travel Distance

Transfer Carts

Short tracked movement from one station to another

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Variety of distance options

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Magnetic tape setup would be a predefined distance/Natural Feature Navigation would allow for more flexibility like the AMR

Aspect

Safety Features

Transfer Carts

Integrated with a robot system and fencing

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

360 Safety Sensors - speed slows and stops

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

360 Safety Sensors - speed slows and stops

Aspect

Cost

Transfer Carts

Lower upfront cost

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Moderate upfront cost

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Higher upfront cost

Aspect

Industry Applications

Transfer Carts

Pallet Transport

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Pallet Transport, Warehouse movement

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Warehouse movement, Pallet Transport

Aspect

Use Cases

Transfer Carts

Material transport within a fixed path

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

Flexible material transport

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

Material transport within a fixed path or flexible

For Warehouses and Manufacturing

For warehouses and distribution centers, SmartCart offers a wide range of tuggers, which can tow loads anywhere from 60 pounds to 6,000 pounds (based on a trailer friction factor of 2%). SmartCart also includes options for a single or dual roller conveyor AGC, which is useful for delivering pallets (as large as 60″) to and from roller conveyor systems.

For manufacturing applications, the SmartCart AGC
is a flexible, inexpensive round-the-clock workhorse
for repetitively moving work-in-process (WIP) materials between production and buffering areas.

The SmartCart Model 300CF counterbalanced fork type AGC is perfect for picking up and dropping off pallets from conveyors, stretch wrappers or the floor.

SmartCart Control Options

AGC’s can run in a simple loop without upper level computer controls, or a “Cart Management System” (CMS) allows the carts to operate in complex layouts with computer blocking controls and to interface with other in-plant systems. The Windows based CMS cart controller allows the user to reconfigure carts easily, through drop down menus. Modified guidepath layouts and cart functions can be downloaded via Wi-Fi radio signal to the carts in seconds.

An Automatic Guided Cart graphical monitoring screen with simple and intuitive operator interface is available for the CMS controller – providing your operations and maintenance personnel complete control and access to your assembly line. Multiple graphic screens can be easily located anywhere with network access to the CMS.

Contact Motion Controls Robotics, Inc. today to learn more about what you will need to get started on a SmartCart Automatic Guided Cart System. Drive cost savings to your bottom line, improve your system operation, and provide a more friendly work environment for your most valuable asset – your employees.