A Laser Guided Vehicle (LGV) is a type of Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) that uses laser navigation to operate within a predefined area. LGVs are equipped with a laser that detects reflectors placed at various locations in the building. This navigation method allows for high precision and reliability as well as freedom to change the driving route quite easily, making LGVs suitable for a wide range of industrial and warehousing applications.
How Laser Guided Vehicles Work
LGVs function using a rotating laser scanner mounted on the vehicle. The scanner continuously measures angles and distances to reflectors around the facility. These measurements allow the control system to calculate the LGV’s exact position and orientation in real time, ensuring accurate and autonomous navigation even in dynamic environments.
Advantages of Laser Guided Vehicles
- No need for fixed physical guidance (e.g. wires or magnetic strips)
- Simple to update when facility layouts change
- Ideal for expanding or reconfigurable operations
- Enhances safety by enabling driverless transport in shared spaces
- Reliable for high-precision tasks and repetitive workflows
Typical Material Handling Applications
LGVs are widely used in automated material handling tasks, including:
- Pallet and goods transport between production or storage zones
- Automated storage/retrieval systems (AS/RS)
- Real-time coordination with warehouse management systems (WMS)
- Supporting lean manufacturing and just-in-time (JIT) logistics
Summary:
A Laser Guided Vehicle (LGV) is a type of automated transport system used in material handling. It navigates by detecting laser reflectors placed in the environment, offering high precision, adaptability, and suitability for changing layouts in industrial facilities.
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