Automated guided vehicles (AGV) are portable robots that replace the typical tasks of manually operated forklifts in warehouse operations. AGVs follow along marked lines or wires on the floor, or use vision cameras, magnets, or laser vision technology for navigation. They are most often used in industrial applications and warehouse to transport heavy materials and pallets. AGVs are available in a variety of models and can be used to move products on an assembly line, transport goods throughout a plant or warehouse, and deliver loads.

The most common types of AGVs are towing, fork trucks, and heavy load carriers. Each is designed to perform repetitive actions such as delivering raw materials, keep loads stable, and complete simple tasks. Unlike human workers, AGVs operate continuously only needing to stop to be recharged or repaired.

AGVs are managed and controlled by an intelligent traffic control systems, which manages all tasks from traffic control, task execution and safety management. AGVs have sophisticated collision prevention systems and are safe to use in a manual or semi-automated environment, though they are best applied in fully automated environments.