AGV vs AMR vs ASRS
AGVs, AMRs, and ASRS are the three foundational architectures of warehouse automation, often confused and frequently mis-specified. They solve overlapping problems but with very different physics, economics, and operational tradeoffs. This page lays out the comparison directly so you can pick the right architecture for your warehouse.
Three Architectures, One Comparison
| Dimension | AGV | AMR | ASRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Automated Guided Vehicle | Autonomous Mobile Robot | Automated Storage & Retrieval System |
| Navigation | Fixed-path: tape, magnets, wires, QR codes | Dynamic: LIDAR, SLAM, onboard sensors | Captive: rails, gantries, shuttles |
| Operating zone | Predetermined fixed routes | Free-roam across warehouse floor | Within purpose-built racking envelope |
| Typical capex | $80k-$180k per vehicle | $140k-$280k per vehicle | $8M-$50M+ per system |
| Deployment time | 8-16 weeks (incl. infrastructure) | 4-12 weeks per fleet phase | 12-24 months from greenfield |
| Building requirement | Existing, with infrastructure overlay | Existing, drive-and-go | Purpose-built or major retrofit |
| Floor markings/changes | Required (tape, magnets) | None | N/A (captive system) |
| Reconfiguration | Hard (re-lay infrastructure) | Software-only, days | Effectively impossible once built |
| SKU profile suit | Stable, repetitive flows | Variable, mixed pallets | Stable, narrow size range |
| Throughput | High on fixed routes | High, scales linearly with fleet | Very high in captive envelope |
| Failure mode | One vehicle blocks fixed route | Per-truck redundancy, fleet continues | System-level outage potential |
| Operating environment | Predominantly indoor | Indoor + outdoor | Indoor only (captive) |
| Mixed-fleet (humans) | Yes, with safety zones | Yes, designed for it | No (humans excluded) |
How AGVs Work
AGVs follow predefined paths laid into the warehouse floor — magnetic tape, embedded wires, painted lines, or QR-code grid. The vehicle sensor reads the path infrastructure and executes pre-programmed routes between defined waypoints. AGVs are the oldest of the three architectures (dating back to the 1950s) and remain effective for highly repetitive flows where routes don't change.
Best for: Repetitive fixed routes (e.g., production-line pickup → fixed staging area), high-volume manufacturing line-feeding where the route never varies, environments where the cost of route change is acceptable.
How AMRs Work
AMRs (including modern autonomous forklifts) navigate dynamically. They build their own map of the facility using LIDAR sensors and SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) algorithms. When given a task — "move this pallet from rack A14 to dock 3" — the robot computes its own route in real time, dynamically avoiding obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
Robots Now! supplies AMR-class autonomous forklifts with LIDAR natural navigation. See AGV vs AMR for a deeper 2-way comparison and LIDAR Navigation for the navigation tech.
Best for: Variable warehouse operations, mixed pallet types, multi-zone DCs, sites where layout will change over time, mixed human-robot environments.
How ASRS Works
ASRS systems — including high-bay cranes, miniload systems, AutoStore-style cube grids, and shuttle systems — are captive automation built into the racking itself. The "robot" component is constrained to move within the purpose-built rack envelope; loads come into the system via in-feed conveyors and exit via drop-off lanes. Famous examples include AutoStore (Norwegian cube-grid system), Knapp OSR (shuttle), and traditional AS/RS cranes from Daifuku, Dematic, and TGW.
For a 2-way ASRS-vs-forklift comparison see Robotic Forklift vs ASRS.
Best for: Greenfield builds, very high throughput requirements (10,000+ cases/hour), extreme storage density (30-45m clear height), stable SKU mix locked for 10+ years.
The Decision Framework
Choose AGV if
Your routes are highly stable, you have specific high-volume repetitive flows, and you want fixed-path predictability over flexibility.
Choose AMR if
You're working with an existing building, your SKU profile changes, you need flexibility, your lease is < 10 years, or you operate multiple sites.
Choose ASRS if
You're building greenfield, your SKUs are stable for 10+ years, your throughput requirement is extreme, and your capex appetite supports an all-or-nothing investment.
Choose hybrid (most common)
ASRS for stable high-volume SKUs in the dense storage envelope, AMR autonomous forklifts for everything outside it. Coordination via WMS. Best of both architectures.
Australian Market Reality
In Australia specifically, three factors push most operators toward AMR-class autonomous forklifts:
- Existing building stock — most Australian warehouses are 20-40 year-old buildings. Greenfield builds (which favour ASRS) are the exception.
- SKU volatility — 3PL operators, e-commerce, and growing brands can't lock SKU range for 10 years. AMR fleets adapt; ASRS doesn't.
- Phased capex — AMR fleets can be added 2-4 trucks at a time, scaling capex with revenue. ASRS demands an all-or-nothing investment.