Automated Guided Vehicle Price

As companies seek new production efficiencies and competitive advantages, the popularity of Automated Guided Vehicles has skyrocketed in recent years. what are the prices?

But when it comes to the prevalence of Automated Guided Vehicles, they have come even further in affordability.

In the early 2000s, even the most basic AGVs could cost up to $360,000. These were significant investments reserved only for the world’s well-funded early adopters.

However, today’s AGVs can be had for much less despite being much more capable. For example, the Heavy Duty AGV costs only $35,000 to purchase. Its medium-duty counterpart costs just $20,000.

How much does an automated guided vehicle cost?

But getting started with any of the robots, and many others on the market, doesn’t require even that level of investment.

As impossible as it sounds, you can now get started with a new AGV for less than the cost of a new smartphone. And all thanks to a relatively new business model.

Cloud software providers popularized the as-a-service business model with SaaS (software as a service) products.

These services are so prevalent because they make the tools, resources, and entertainment we need incredibly accessible, and at a dramatically reduced price.

Automated guided vehicle cost

Just as automation has evolved over the past decade, so has its accessibility. And that evolution is now being driven not just by affordable AGVs. It’s being powered by affordable AGVs that the RaaS model has made even cheaper.

RaaS drives business growth in a way that an initial purchase couldn’t have years ago, primarily because it removes any perceived investment risk.

For this reason and others mentioned above, the RaaS market is erupting. From 2022, analysts expect it to grow almost 20%.

And that makes sense: RaaS almost completely removes financial barriers to entry. Meanwhile, AGVs remove technological barriers to entry.

A RaaS rental program is a powerful combination that enables almost any business to get started with automation. After placing your order, you could be up and running, and experiencing profound growth in productivity, in a matter of hours. And all at a cost of $1,000 to start.

RaaS may be an evolution. But in its wake, it is leaving behind something much more powerful that companies of all sizes will benefit from, the start of a new industrial revolution.

The market is ultra competitive these days. Many new competitors are lowering prices and increasing capacity.

AGV vs AGC

According to the Automated Guided Vehicle Systems Group, an AGV consists of one or more computer-controlled wheel-based load carriers.

Battery-powered devices work without a controller and come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and styles.

Engineers can choose between tugs that pull a chain of cars or trailers on a train; unit load conveyors that move subassemblies and work in process from one assembly station to another; forked pallet trucks that interface with pick-up and drop-off points on the plant floor; and Automated Guided Cars (AGCs) that are smaller, cheaper, and easier to install than traditional AGVs.

AGCs are popular for applications where lighter loads and flexibility are required.

AGVs and AGCs have defined routes or areas within or over which they can navigate. Navigation is achieved by various means, such as following a path defined by surface-mounted magnetic tape or optical strips. Laser guidance, GPS, and vision systems are also popular.

More on this story