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An automated guided vehicle (AGV) is a portable robot that follows along marked long lines or wires on the floor, or uses radio waves, vision cameras, magnets, or lasers for navigation. AGVs are most often used in industrial applications to transport heavy materials around large industrial facilities, such as a factory or warehouse.
Many industrial companies operate and maintain a fleet of automated guided vehicles, but in order to derive the real value from them, companies will need to digitize the manufacturing environment and connect the vehicles, then capture and meld all that information. When AGV information is integrated with all the company’s systems, these firms will be able to capture the necessary data, produce insights, reduce uncertainty, and support decisions.
According to Japanese tech firm Hitachi, a challenge with handling multiple AGVs in manufacturing or industrial operation is the connectivity. “Traditionally most companies use Wi-Fi to connect to the units, but inside a large manufacturing plant with heavy equipment, magnetic fields and other interferences, making sure you are connected and bringing your AGV data in real-time, all of the time is also a challenge. The optimization gained by investing in these machines can quickly be eroded if there are Wi-Fi shadows around your facilities and you lose the connectivity with your unit, right when a problem is about to happen,” Steven Garbrecht, a former Director of Solutions Marketing- IoT and Manufacturing Digital Solutions at Hitachi Vantara, said.
Here is where 5G technology can play a key role to set the conditions where AGVs can show their full capabilities. Hitachi is partnering with telecommunication carriers and technology providers like Verizon and Ericsson, that can fully enable private 5G environments to replace Wi-Fi at the edge, significantly increasing the density of connected devices, sensors and machines, improving the latency and throughput of data streams and assuring complete coverage in the industrial facilities, to enable a better operation of AGVs.
German company OSRAM noted that automated guided vehicles require intelligence and responsiveness to avoid collisions with people at industrial facilities. “This was not possible with the existing ICT infrastructures. Only a mobile network with guaranteed performance can ensure the efficient operation of AGVs and, at the same time, serve as a basis for the transformation into a smart factory,” the German firm said in a report.
The OSRAM factory in Schwabmünchen opted for an integrated platform: a 4G/5G campus mobile network in conjunction with a combination of local edge cloud and operator edge cloud, in order to comply with the required minimum latencies for problem-free implementation of the AGVs. “The network guarantees communication between the AGVs and the local computing resources. The processing of mapping and navigation data on the computing resources near the AGVs also ensures low latency in terms of the IT. On this basis, further real-time applications can also be established in addition to the operation of the AGVs,” OSRAM said.
Meanwhile, Swedish vendor Ericsson highlighted that AGVs have been cruising industrial floors for decades but were originally designed to operate over Wi-Fi, where it said that “Limitations existed from the start. If an AGV detected a potential collision, it stopped and had to be manually cleared by a person to resume operations.”
“As the spaces AGVs needed to cover grew, another flaw in their connectivity design emerged: a seamless handover from one Wi-Fi cell to another was not possible, and when data transmissions become limited, accidents might occur. Over the years, thanks to advancements in cellular and 5G connectivity, AGVs have moved closer to becoming truly autonomous robots, no longer reliant on preconfigured scripts,” Patrick Ruelke, Business Development Manager at Ericsson, said.
With 5G, AMRs can utilize navigation algorithms, LiDAR sensors, vision technology and virtual map sharing to detect objects, think on their own and move autonomously through facilities. Wi-Fi cannot support these advanced machines with the seamless coverage and high data transfers needed to operate in sprawling environments, Ruelke added. “Cellular, namely 5G, is the only technology that can provide the reliability, bandwidth, coverage and security required to safely operate AGVs.”
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In the era of Industry 4.0, manufacturing facilities are increasingly adopting automation to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) have emerged as a cornerstone of this transformation, taking over material handling, logistics, and production tasks with precision. However, one critical factor determines the success of AGV deployment: connectivity.
Traditional wireless solutions like Wi-Fi often fall short in supporting the demanding operational needs of AGVs. In contrast, Private LTE/5G networks are proving to be a game-changer, offering unparalleled performance, scalability, and reliability. Here’s why Private LTE/5G is the future for AGV connectivity and how Clover IQ can lead your facility into this next generation of manufacturing technology.
While Wi-Fi has long been a go-to solution for wireless communication in industrial settings, it has inherent challenges that make it unsuitable for AGVs. These limitations include:
Manufacturing facilities often span large areas with complex layouts, including dense racks, machinery, and other obstructions that degrade Wi-Fi signals. This results in frequent connectivity drop-offs, which disrupt AGV operations and slow down workflows.
Wi-Fi networks, especially in crowded environments, suffer from high latency due to interference and congestion. AGVs require real-time communication with central control systems for precise navigation and safety, and Wi-Fi latency can lead to errors and inefficiencies.
Wi-Fi networks operate on shared, unlicensed spectrum, which becomes increasingly overcrowded as the number of connected devices grows. This limits the ability of Wi-Fi to scale effectively for large fleets of AGVs and IoT devices.
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Wi-Fi is highly susceptible to interference from other devices operating on the same frequencies, such as Bluetooth or neighboring Wi-Fi networks. This interference can cause frequent disruptions, leading to unreliable AGV performance.
As AGVs move through a facility, they often need to switch between Wi-Fi access points. This handover process is prone to delays and interruptions, affecting the seamless operation of AGVs.
Operating on unlicensed spectrum, Wi-Fi networks are more exposed to security threats. For AGVs handling sensitive operational data, this poses significant risks to the facility’s overall security.
Private LTE/5G networks address all the shortcomings of Wi-Fi while introducing capabilities that are essential for AGV operations. Key benefits include:
Private LTE/5G networks provide wide and consistent coverage, ensuring that AGVs maintain uninterrupted connectivity across large and complex facilities.
With latency as low as 1 millisecond, Private LTE/5G enables real-time communication between AGVs and their control systems. This ensures precise navigation, safety, and operational efficiency.
Private LTE/5G networks are designed to scale effortlessly, accommodating a growing number of AGVs and IoT devices without degradation in performance.
Private networks operate on dedicated or shared licensed spectrum, eliminating interference from external devices and ensuring a stable, high-quality connection.
Unlike Wi-Fi, Private LTE/5G supports seamless handovers between access points, enabling AGVs to move freely without losing connectivity.
Private LTE/5G offers advanced encryption and authentication protocols, ensuring secure communication and protecting sensitive data from cyber threats.
At Clover IQ, we specialize in designing, deploying, and managing Private LTE/5G networks tailored to the unique needs of manufacturing facilities. With over two decades of experience in telecommunications and networking, we bring the expertise and solutions you need to maximize the potential of your AGV operations.
Investing in a Private LTE/5G network through Clover IQ translates to measurable benefits, including:
Wi-Fi may have been a suitable temporary solution, but it is not built for the demands of modern manufacturing automation. The reliability, scalability, and security of Private LTE/5G networks make them the clear choice for supporting AGV operations and driving Industry 4.0 initiatives.
Clover IQ is committed to helping manufacturing facilities unlock the full potential of AGVs and other automation technologies through cutting-edge Private LTE/5G solutions. By partnering with us, you gain access to industry-leading expertise, end-to-end support, and a clear pathway to ROI.
Ready to transform your operations? Contact us at to learn more about how Private LTE/5G can revolutionize your facility and ensure success in the age of Industry 4.0.
This detailed blog provides a comprehensive view of the advantages of Private LTE/5G over Wi-Fi for AGV operations, while also highlighting Clover IQ’s capabilities in delivering these transformative solutions.
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