Laser Guided AGV (LGV): Selection and Practical Applications

When deploying AGVs in a warehouse or factory, the navigation method directly affects future route changes, site modifications, and maintenance work.

Some projects can accept QR codes or magnetic tape on the floor, while others prefer to minimize changes to the floor. For applications with relatively stable routes, multiple fixed stations, and a need to avoid maintaining large numbers of floor-based navigation markers, a Laser Guided AGV is a common option.

Laser Guided AGVs are also commonly referred to as LGVs. They are still AGVs, but use laser positioning as their primary navigation method.

What Is a Laser Guided AGV?

A Laser Guided AGV is a type of AGV that uses lasers and fixed positioning references to determine its location.

The vehicle is typically equipped with a laser scanner, while reflectors are installed around the warehouse or factory. As the LGV travels, it continuously detects these reflectors and uses their known positions to determine its current location and orientation.

Compared with magnetic or QR code navigation, an LGV does not require continuous magnetic tape or a large number of QR codes to be installed across the operating area.

These vehicles are commonly used for pallet handling, production line replenishment, WIP transfer, finished-goods movement, and material transport between warehouse and production areas.

For example, a factory may need to move pallets from the warehouse to the production line every day and then return finished goods to storage. An LGV can follow predefined routes and continuously move between these stations.

Laser Guided AGV vs. QR Code AGV: Which Should You Choose?

QR code AGVs typically use floor-mounted QR codes to confirm and correct their position. When routes are relatively simple, the environment is clean, and the QR codes are easy to maintain, this approach is often sufficient.

LGVs mainly use laser scanners to detect reflectors around the operating area, so the vehicle does not need to continuously read QR codes from the floor.

This difference becomes more noticeable in warehouses with frequent forklift, pallet truck, and pedestrian traffic. Over time, floor-mounted QR codes may be affected by wear, dust, oil, or obstruction from goods. With an LGV, maintenance focuses more on the reflectors, which need to remain securely installed and unobstructed.

The two approaches also have different requirements when routes need to be changed. New areas outside the existing QR code coverage usually require additional floor markers, while an LGV needs enough visible reflectors in the new operating area to maintain reliable positioning.

For regular routes with clearly defined navigation points and floor conditions that make QR codes easy to install and maintain, QR code navigation is often adequate.

For factories that are already in operation, especially where floor markers are likely to wear out or become contaminated, or where maintaining large numbers of QR codes is undesirable, a Laser Guided AGV can be a more attractive option.

Advantages of Laser Guided AGVs

For an existing factory or warehouse, floor modifications are often a practical concern when adding AGVs.

A production aisle may be used by forklifts and workers throughout the day. If the existing AGV system relies on embedded guidance, magnetic tape, or a large number of floor markers, adding a new route may require additional work on those navigation facilities.

LGVs mainly rely on reflectors and map-based positioning, so many route adjustments can be handled through map and path configuration. Reflectors are usually mounted on walls, columns, or other fixed structures, where they are not directly exposed to vehicle traffic in the way QR codes or magnetic tape are. In areas with heavy floor traffic, this can reduce both installation work and routine maintenance.

This navigation method is also well suited to stable industrial environments. Racking, machinery, production lines, and logistics stations usually do not move frequently, allowing reflectors to serve as long-term positioning references.

For example, the same logistics route may be repeated every day:

Warehouse → Production Line → Buffer Area → Finished Goods Storage

An LGV can continuously move between these stations. If new production stations, buffer areas, or transfer points are added later, they can usually be incorporated into the existing route as long as the new area still provides suitable laser positioning conditions.

How Does a Laser Guided AGV Operate in a Real Logistics Process?

Suppose pallets need to be moved from the warehouse to the production line every day.

Once the dispatch system assigns a task, the LGV first travels to the designated pickup point.

Receive Task → Pickup Station → Load Transfer → Transport → Destination → Unload

After arriving at the pickup station, the vehicle completes the pallet transfer according to its configuration.

A Forklift AGV can pick up the pallet directly. A vehicle equipped with a Roller Conveyor can transfer loads automatically with a conveyor station, while a Lifting AGV uses its lifting mechanism to transfer the load.

Once loading is complete, the LGV follows the assigned route to the production line.

During travel, the vehicle continuously uses laser positioning to confirm its location. If pedestrians, forklifts, or other obstacles enter its path, safety sensors can slow or stop the vehicle. Once the route is clear again, the AGV can continue the task.

At the production line, the vehicle unloads the pallet. After completing the task, it can either wait at the station or receive its next transport assignment.

When multiple LGVs operate at the same time, the dispatch system also needs to coordinate task allocation and traffic to prevent several vehicles from entering a narrow aisle, intersection, or transfer station at the same time.

The design of pickup stations, drop-off stations, aisle widths, and load-transfer methods directly affects how efficiently this process runs. In real projects, these site conditions usually need to be considered together with the navigation system.