An AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) is a handling robot that moves with no guidance infrastructure at all. Using its onboard sensors (LiDAR, cameras) and SLAM mapping, it builds a map of the site, locates itself on it in real time, avoids obstacles, and recalculates its own route.
AMR: how it works and real-world examples
Unlike the AGV, the AMR perceives its environment instead of following a marked-out circuit. A layout change is handled with a software update to the map, not civil engineering work, which is the central argument AMR manufacturers make against traditional automated trucks.
The autonomous pallet truck, a 2,000 kg AMR pallet truck launched on 18 August 2026, illustrates this category well: it navigates by fusing 3D LiDAR and depth cameras (360° perception), slides its forks under a pallet in about twenty seconds, and corrects any alignment offset itself, with no manual confirmation. Its fleet is managed through its fleet supervision platform, with multi-robot coordination that keeps working even without an external network.
Other pallet AMRs illustrate the diversity of approaches: the MiR1200 Pallet Jack combines laser scanners, 3D cameras and LiDAR to recognize pallets using AI; Balyo relies on proprietary geoguidance paired with a digital twin of the site; Agilox runs on decentralized "swarm" intelligence, with no central server. For a precise comparison of AGV and AMR, see the AGV entry and the dedicated article on their difference.
The robot, distributed by Easy to Carry, is a 2,000 kg AMR that navigates with no building fit-out at all. Discover the robot or talk with our team about your project.
FAQ
Can an AMR operate around pedestrians?
An AMR designed to work alongside pedestrians must meet strict safety requirements (person detection, emergency stop, adapted speed), notably governed by the NF EN ISO 3691-4 standard. Always check the certification of the model you are considering before any deployment.
Do you need a CACES certificate to operate an AMR?
An AMR in autonomous mode does not carry an operator and therefore falls outside the traditional scope of CACES, which is designed for driving forklift trucks. Some models keep a manual mode requiring certification. Regulation is evolving alongside robotics: check this point on a case-by-case basis before any project.
AGV or AMR: which should you choose?
The choice depends on your flows: the AGV suits repetitive, very high-throughput routes in a building designed for automation, the AMR suits variable flows in an existing site. See the comparative article on AGV vs AMR for a detailed decision framework.
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