An LGV (Laser Guided Vehicle) is an AGV that finds its way using laser triangulation: an onboard rotating scanner measures its position relative to fixed reflectors installed in the warehouse. It's one of the most widespread guidance techniques among automated-truck manufacturers.
LGV: how it works, and a note on terminology
The term LGV isn't strictly standardized in French-language professional documentation: this definition reflects standard usage observed among manufacturers and is worth confirming case by case. In practice, a laser scanner rotates continuously on top of the vehicle and detects reflectors (reflective strips) mounted on walls, columns or racks. By triangulating its distance to at least three reflectors, the vehicle calculates its position in real time and adjusts its trajectory to follow the programmed route.
This technology remains very common among major forklift manufacturers: the Toyota Autopilot LAE250 and the Jungheinrich ERE 225a both navigate using reflector-based lasers, complemented by anti-collision scanners. It offers high precision and requires no cutting into the floor (unlike wire guidance), but does require installing and calibrating reflectors, then repositioning them if the layout changes significantly.
An LGV remains a sub-category of AGV: the vehicle follows a broadly fixed route. It differs markedly from an AMR, which navigates without reflectors or wires thanks to SLAM mapping and can freely recalculate its route. See the AGV and AMR entries for the full distinction.
In the field, an LGV is often chosen for steady-pace flows where trajectory precision is the priority (narrow aisles, repetitive drop-off points). As soon as a site combines several variable flows or a high degree of co-activity with pedestrians and manually driven forklifts, a reflector-free AMR generally becomes simpler to evolve over time, with no need to intervene on physical markers.
FAQ
LGV, AGV, AMR: what's the difference?
An LGV is a sub-category of AGV guided by laser triangulation on fixed reflectors: the vehicle follows a fixed route. An AMR, on the other hand, navigates without reflectors or wires thanks to SLAM mapping and its sensors, and can change its route in real time when facing the unexpected.
Does an LGV require equipment on the floor?
Not on the floor as such, but reflectors need to be mounted on the site's walls or columns, positioned and calibrated at commissioning. A major layout change can require repositioning these markers, unlike an AMR navigating with SLAM.
Related terms
- AGV
- AMR
- Wire guidance
- Optical guidance / geoguidance
- SLAM
- VDA 5050
- AGV vs AMR (article)
- Types of logistics robots (article)
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