AGV Price: How much does an automated guided vehicle cost?

 The cost of an automated guided vehicle depends on the type of vehicle, starting from $14.000 for an AGC, near $30.000 for a towing tractor, $60.000 for an automated pallet jack, around $80.000 for a forklift AGV and $150.000-$200.000 for an automated VNA. 

          

But there's a bad news... these numbers are just an indication. 

It's always a bit frustrating when I'm showcasing my state-of-the-art robots at a trade show and a visitor opens the conversation with: "How much does it cost?" 🤨

Come on! It depends! There are limitless unique situations:

• What kind of AGV Robots are we talking about?
• How many AGVs are involved?
• How complex is the installation?
• etc, etc

The AGV system costs depend on a number of variables that can greatly affect the overall cost.

My name is Alfredo Pastor, I sell and deploy mobile robots from different brands and with different technologies, I'm a mobile robot lover ❤ (Check my LinkedIn profile and connect with me).

 In this article I provide some key points based on my experience that will allow you to understand what your agv price could be. 

I know why you're in this webpage: Cost saving is one of the main advantages of using agvs.    

   

     

The Automated Guided Vehicles  Price

No worry, I'm about to explain you these numbers in the following lines.

Of course, with these values you can't calculate the total price of an automated guided vehicle system and the AGV System Return On Investment because there are many other variables to consider... 

Based on my experience,  I have created two tools to help you to calculate the automated guided vehicle price (remember FREE).

✅ AGV System Cost Excel Calculator. This calculator takes into consideration all the variables that we will see in this article (type of vehicle and its features, charging method, nb of vehicles, project complexity, etc) and provides a reliable investment level. 

 ✅ "AGV Cost Estimation" Whitepaper... "just" 33 pages with a lot of useful info

Click here to download the whitepaper

     

So, here it comes my "mobile robot nerd advise" 🤓: 

✅ Read this article until the end to have a full understanding of the different agv robot price drivers.  

✅ Download the EXCEL tool and the Whitepaper to calculate your own automated guided vehicle price

✅ Contact your supplier for an accurate calculation

✅ Finally, register and stay tuned to agvnetwork newsletter because the excel tools and whitepapers are updated several times a year with new and more accurate data.

Be ready to invest! In fact, the initial investment needed for deploying Mobile Robots is one of the main automated guided vehicle disadvantages     

Table of Contents   The type and number of AGVs The cost of the AGV Software Management System AGV installation and commissioning cost Cost of the AGV System Peripherals Additional AGV system costs AGV System Maintenance Cost Summary about AGV system cost

 

The AGV Price depends on the type of vehicle type, its features and number of vehicles 

    

  

The first and main cost driver is the agv itself. Ok, ok, we do not need to be a "cost engineer"  to understand this point. There are many types of AGVs with completely different costs.

To illustrate, it's important to recognize that AGVs come in various types, each with distinct functionalities. For instance, an automated reach truck, which offers specific features, typically comes at a price range of $90,000 to $120,000, whereas a pallet jack, designed for different tasks, costs around $50,000.

In essence, the key takeaway is the need to comprehend the AGV's capabilities when making a selection.

The final price of the automated guided vehicle also depends on its features that can increase the vehicle cost from the base price, such as: 

• Payload
• Stocking height (if we talk about forklifts)
• Type of navigation
• Type of battery and the charging system.
• etc.      

For example, the charging solution changes the price of the whole system and influences the number of agvs:

• Is the vehicle performing online charging?
• What kind of batteries does it use? (by the way, check this article to know more about batteries for mobile robots: What is the best type of battery for agv?)       

Check these agv vehicles, as you can imagine, their prices are completely different: 

     

The Robot Price depends on the mobile robot type: let's check them one by one

Automated Guided Carts, also called platform, AGCs, Tunnel AGVs or Lurking AGVs

An Automatic Guided Cart or AGV Platform is the simplest kind of AGV . There are several types of Automatic Guided Carts  with different navigation systems.  

How much does and Automated Guided Cart cost?

An AGC costs near $15,000 if it performs magnetic navigation and around $25,000 with natural feature navigation (in this case we call it Autonomous Mobile Robot).  

   

The main cost drivers are:

✅ Payload

 Of course, more payload means more powerful motors, more structure "steel", more battery and thus, more cost.  

✅ The navigation method

The mechanical base of these vehicles is relatively low cost (compared to other vehicles like forklifts), so the technology on top, like the navigation one, makes the difference. 

If we had an AMR (so with natural navigation) we should add specific lidar sensors, encoders and a more powerful vehicle controller that are sensibly more expensive than the "standard" components in an AGC with magnetic navigation. 

 

✅ Cinematics        

How does the vehicle move? Forward? Backward? Omnidirectional?. Depending on the answer, the vehicle should be equipped with a more sophisticated motion controller and probably with additional safety lasers that will increase the price. 

      

✅ Ad-ons such as conveyors or lifting devices. 

 

The following table indicates the Automated Guided cart cost depending on platform type and the agv navigation technology.        

The table below considers cost of mobile robots  with 2.200 lbs (1.000 kg) load capacity.

🔐 Content Available only for Registered members  Table with AGC costs depending on navigation and cinematics. Join now and enjoy all the content. If you do not have an account yet, you can register here.

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AGC costs may differ depending on the AGV load and transport capacity. An AGC able to move 1,000 lbs (nearly 500 kg) is completely different than an AGV able to transport 4,000 lbs (near 2 tons). 

  

By the way, I have written an article that gets into detail about Automatic Guided Carts answering many questions like: 

✅ What are the main main advantages and disadvantages of AGCs?  

✅ What are the main AGC features?  

✅What are the main AGC applications?

           

AGV tugger price (tow tractor or tugging AGV)

In this category we can find tugger AGV used to tow trolleys composing a convoy or train AGV.  In this case, there are three main cost drivers: 

• The type of tugger agv
• The payload
• The navigation method

 

There are two types of tugger AGVs:

a) AGVs based on manual standard tow tractor, similar to this:  

  

 

In this category, automatic guided vehicles can be driven both manually or automatically. In this case, you have to consider the manual tractor cost and add around $30,000 on the base price to get the AGV cost. 

For example, a 6.600 lbs (3 ton) towing capacity AGV with magnetic navigation cost is around  $40.000 - $50.000

    

b) AGVs not based on manual standard tow tractors

  

The chassis of this kind of AGVs, that are not based on manual tractors, are less expensive (but they cannot be driven manually).

The average cost of a tugger AGV that is able to tow 2.000 lbs (near 1000 kg) with standard gel battery is $20,000, if it performs magnetic navigation.

If we had a similar tractor with Laser or Natural Feature Navigation (slam/lidar), the cost would increase to $28,000-$30.000.

  

Automated forklift cost . How much do an Autonomous Forklift cost?        

In this case, we have a broad number of variables that will lead to either an increase or decrease in the final  Automated Forklift costs.

In this picture below, you can see the prices automated forklifts depending on their type.

       

The main type of navigation used system for this kind of AGVs is the Laser Navigation even if ,step by step, some agv forklifts are offered with Natural Navigation, in this case, they are called Autonomous Forklift Robots. 

From the cost point of view, there is not substantial difference in a forklift performing laser or natural navigation. Both technologies require well developed navigation algorithms and reliable equipment such as lidar navigation lasers, pc or plc controllers, encoders, etc. 

In certain applications, always from the economic point of view, autonomous forklifts could represent an advantage in terms of installation and commissioning, but we'll see this point later on. 

It is not easy to provide an accurate AGV forklift price for the vehicle itself because it depends on several variables:

• Type of forklift
• Payload Capacity
• Lifting height
• Other add-ons or special devices like clamps, pallet detectors, barcode readers, etc.

    

Again, the first variable is the type of forklift, as I said before, It is not the same price for a pallet jack AGV compared with an Automated Reach Truck.        

These are automated pallet jacks and stackers:   

and these are reach trucks: 

Each of these vehicles will have a different cost depending on payload and stocking height capacity.  

Related Article: Automated Forklift Cost - A guide to the variables leading to a robotic forklift price

 

The price of the AGV System depends on the number of vehicles

Two agvs cost more than one agv... 😎 (top level engineering info).  If you have defined the kind of AGV that you need, you can then move onto the next step.

It's time to define the number of vehicles that you need. This is a complex calculation that depends on many factors such as distance, number of missions, AGV kind, vehicle speed, number of maneuvers for pick and drop operations, and so on.

   

   

Understanding and estimating the right number of AGVs requires an in-depth analysis of your process and logistics flow.

Nevertheless, you can always consider the simple rule that an AGV is slower than a human operator. So, on average, whenever you needed one operator, you will need around 1.5 AGVs.

For example, if you have one manual forklift, you will probably need 2 AGVs. If you have 4 manual forklifts, you will probably need 6 forklift AGVs.

On the other hand, when it comes to compare manned vs automated, so when we need to calculate the ROI, we must consider other factors like the nimber of shifts, the hourly wage, and so on. 

Related Article: AGV ROI Calculation - A Real Case Example on how to compare Manned vs Automated Forklifts

We have defined the kind of AGV that you need and the number of AGVs required.    

Now you have to consider all the other additional cost factors that will define the total AGV system cost.

Let's go through them one-by-one.

The cost of the AGV Software Management System

  

AGVs usually require management software to handle tasks, instructions, and their overall operation. This means you'll need to get a license for an AGV management system software.

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AGV Charging options peripherals cost

The charging strategy is a very complex but important part of your AGV system.   While defining a new AGV project, you should be sure that your AGV system maintains the required energy balance to perform the missions without interruption.

This topic is so important, that I have prepared an in-depth whitepaper. You cannot miss it. 

     

Click here to download the whitepaper

 

The following links will lead you to dedicated articles describing what is the best AGV charging system  and what are the differents types of agv batteries that you can install in your AGV.

   

Online contact charging opportunity cost

Online charging stations are composed by the battery charger and contact poles.  The charging station costs depends on the charging power (in KW). 

A battery charger costs around $400 for a 24-volt and 1 kilowatt. This is the standard charger for Automated Guided Carts and small tow tractors.

More powerful 48-Volt chargers can cost around $2000.

Chargers for Lithium batteries are more expensive. You can pay around $4,000 for a 3kW charging station. 

We have decided on the charger, but now we have to install the poles on floor or install small columns for side AGV charging.

AGV charging stations can cost between $400 and $3000.

Remember that it is necessary to make a track on the floor to connect the charger to the poles. So, you have to track, place cables and then close the trace with resin or something similar. It costs around $1.000 each tow linear meter.

  

Online wireless charging opportunity cost

Wireless charging systems offers several advantages compared to contact charging. Wireless charging is more efficient, faster and does not require maintenance. Nevertheless, it's quite more expensive. Check this article where we explain AGV wireless charging into detail. 

Here below you have a cost comparison between contact opportunity charging and wireless charging.

Click here to download the whitepaper

   

Manual battery swap station

The main cost driver is the battery dimension. These battery exchange stations can cost around $1,000 for small automated guided carts (including battery charger).

Battery exchange trolley and battery charging station by CREFORM

 

Bigger manual battery exchangers can cost around $2,500, which are suitable for vehicles such forklifts.

Battery station with manual battery exchange by ACCU ENERGIE PLUS

  

Automatic battery exchange machine for AGVs

Manual battery changers require an operator to perform the battery exchange.

Some AGV suppliers offer completely automated battery exchange machines that do not need any kind of interaction with a human.

These machines are complex, and investment can be between $20.000 for small batteries or only one big battery  and up to $100.000 for machines managing several batteries.

 

AGV carry load peripheral cost

In some cases, AGV system needs to adapt your infrastructures to enable a correct transportation of the load.

Imagin that you need to  pick up pallets with finished products at the end of an assembly line.

   

Mainly, there are three  options:

     

First, you could use a robotic pallet jack. You can probably still use your pallet without any kind of modification, but in this case your vehicle will cost around $60.000.

     

Second, you could have Under Cart AGV. If it is an unidirectional magnetic one, the cost would only $15.000 but you have to consider that putting the pallets on a trolley that could cost between $600 and $1200 per trolley. If you need anywhere between 40 or 80 trolleys, the cost could be completely prohibitive. This peripheral cost represents a very important investment. 

     

There’s also a third option to use a tugger AGV. In this case, you can use a simpler trolley or even your own trolleys. But, in this case, it is mandatory to consider the time needed for engaging and disengaging the trolleys. It could be possible that a line operator performs this operation. However, that isn’t always practical.

    

Peripherals communication with external devices

In most cases the AGV system must interface with some external device such sliding doors, PLC robots, conveyors, or other elements.

In this case the AGV supplier may need to install some kind of PLC or OPC to manage the communication between these devices and the AGV system.

You can consider around $1500 for each communication element.

   

AGV-Human interface devices cost

In some applications, it could be necessary to install human interface devices, such as push button start for AGV, or touch screens for mission selection and other applications.  

These elements and their programming represent a cost to be taken into consideration

 

 Additional AGV system costs

   

AGV System Maintenance Cost

     

It's crucial to understand the future maintenance costs for your AGV system right from the start of the project. These costs can influence which AGV supplier you choose.

Knowing the maintenance cost rate offered by your supplier is essential. You need to decide what kind of maintenance and support your system requires.

Options range from basic preventive maintenance to comprehensive full-service maintenance. Alternatively, if feasible, you could opt to handle the maintenance in-house to save costs.

Understanding the potential future maintenance expenses is key to making an informed initial decision about your AGV system and supplier.

For more insights on this critical choice, including understanding all relevant factors from your supplier, you might find it helpful to read a detailed article on this topic:

 Case Study. How much does Automated Guided Vehicle AGV maintenance cost?

Summary about AGV system cost

As you can see from the discussion above, it is very complicated to give a definitive answer about the effective cost of an AGV system because it depends on your unique business needs and on your specific application.

The first thing to do is to define the right technical solution that matches your requirements. Once you have defined the best technical solution, you need to choose a supplier partner. Avoid taking the opposite approach by define the technical solution based on supplier capabilities.

Once you have defined the right technical solution you have the following cost elements:

• The total vehicle cost that is given by the type and the number of vehicles. 
• The Management Software cost that is relatively fixed as the license fees do not change significantly based on the number of vehicles.
• Installation and commissioning cost that is the workforce cost related to the number of people and their number of hours required for the installation and programming.  This cost is variable depending on the dimension and complexity of the installation, the navigation technology and the number of AGVs.

• Peripherals costs can greatly vary a project, like the cost of the magnetic tape or optic painting, reflectors for laser application, new trolleys, or PLC boxes that will allow your system to communicate with the environment, etc.

• Finally, you must consider the AGV maintenance cost, that of course it is not a part of the initial investment for the AGV system but that will absolutely define the total return of investment of the AGV.

Related Articles in AGV Network AGV Leasing - Is it worth? AGV System Return On Investment - Download our free Payback Calculator Advantages of Robots as a Service – RaaS Gives Instant Return on Investment for AGVs and AMRs Automatic Reach Truck - The most competitive racking robot Case Study. How much does Automated Guided Vehicle AGV maintenance cost?