How Do AMRs Navigate a Warehouse Without Wires or Tape?
Reeco Automation·Updated 11 July 2026·3 min read
Quick answer
OMRON AMRs navigate freely without wires, tape or reflectors, unlike traditional Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). Using scanners and sensors, they map their surroundings and plan optimal routes, rerouting around obstacles in real time.
How is this different from older guided-vehicle systems?
Traditional AGVs follow a fixed physical path — wires embedded in the floor, magnetic tape, or reflectors the vehicle tracks. If the layout changes, the guidance infrastructure has to change with it.
What does an AMR use instead?
AMRs use onboard scanners and sensors to build a map of their surroundings and plan their own route to a destination, rerouting around obstacles in real time rather than stopping and waiting for a fixed path to clear.
Why does this matter for a warehouse or production floor?
It means the same fleet can adapt as layouts change, without needing floor infrastructure reinstalled — see AMR vs AGV: What's the Difference? for the fuller comparison.
Frequently asked
Do AMRs need wires or tape on the floor to navigate?
No — they use scanners and sensors to map their surroundings and navigate freely, unlike traditional AGVs.
Can AMRs reroute around obstacles?
Yes — they plan optimal routes and reroute around obstacles in real time rather than relying on a fixed path.
What happens if the warehouse layout changes?
AMRs can adapt because they navigate using mapping and sensors rather than fixed floor infrastructure.