Automation with AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) sounds appealing to many companies. Less manual work, more predictability, and increased safety. But the real question is always the same:
When does an AGV solution really pay off?
In this article, we move away from simplistic sales pitches and take a sober look at ROI (Return on Investment) : when is automation a logical step, and when not (yet)?
ROI in automation projects is still too often reduced to a single element: saving man-hours . This seems logical, but it's rarely comprehensive.
What is often missing in classic ROI calculations:
An AGV that works perfectly in theory can disappoint in practice if the process surrounding it is not stable or sufficiently well thought out.
In environments with repetitive internal transport, AGVs are often the most cost-effective.
Typical measurable effects:
Important: AGVs don't simply replace people, they relieve them so they can create value elsewhere.
An underestimated ROI factor.
This not only translates into lower costs, but also into peace of mind, predictability and limited liability .
AGVs do exactly what they're supposed to do. Always!
Advantages:
In production environments this often outweighs pure labor cost savings.
A well-designed AGV system grows with you:
There is often latent ROI here: not immediately visible, but crucial in the medium term.
Couple:
Then the payback period is:
€400,000 / €150,000 ≈ 2.7 years
In many industrial contexts this is perfectly acceptable — provided the process is sufficiently stable.
A good AGV ROI is rarely the result of one clever calculation.
It is the result of:
The best automation projects deliver not only returns on paper, but above all reliability in daily operations .
And sometimes the biggest win is simply:
a workplace that is calmer, safer and more predictable.
An important, but often overlooked point: AGVs are not always the right choice .
Automation rarely pays off well when:
In such situations, it's often wiser to optimize first, then automate. That, too, is a form of return.
Automation isn't a panacea. In some situations, waiting or adjusting is wiser.
❌ Low volumes or sporadic transports
❌ Widely varying layouts
❌ Many exceptions and manual decisions
❌ Insufficient standardization of pallets, bins or routes
❌ Expectation that AGVs will solve 'everything'
In these cases, the ROI may be negative, or only become apparent much later.
At Immer-Goed we don't believe in 'selling AGVs', but in correct applications .
A realistic ROI analysis always starts with:
Only then comes the technology.
AGV automation doesn’t pay off everywhere , but it does in the right context.
The key is in:
Are you unsure whether automation is useful in your situation? Then an exploratory conversation is often more valuable than a quick quote.
Want to know if AGV automation is a viable option in your area? We're happy to discuss your options with you, with no obligation.
