Tugger Automated Guided Vehicle Market | Global Industry Analysis

Tugger Automated Guided Vehicle Market Overview

Tugger Automated Guided Vehicle Market was valued at USD 621.15 Million in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 1,190.89 Million by the year 2032, at a CAGR of 7.50%

Automated Guided Vehicles or Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are computer-controlled, and driverless vehicles utilized for transporting products or material loads from one place to another. Tugger AGVs are programmed to move material loads between manufacturing and warehouse facilities without human intervention and if there is frequent human intervention they can be designed for manual control. Tugger AGVs can have guidance technologies such as floor-surface mounted magnetic tape or bars, lasers, radio waves, and optical sensors or vision cameras for navigation. A combination of CAD-based software and sensor-based guidance systems are utilized to control the movement of an autonomous tugger. Software embedded in the automated tugger vehicles determines pre-defined paths and directs the autonomous vehicle to pick-up/drop-off location. Depending on the operating conditions, the route of the automated tugger is determined on a real-time feedback mechanism. The precisely controlled movements of tugger AGVs, such as acceleration, deceleration, and automatic obstacle detection bumpers, ensure safe movement of material loads thus, stimulating the development of tugger automated guided vehicle market over the forecast period.

Market Dynamics And Key Factors In Tugger Automated Guided Vehicle Market

Drivers:

• Advantages of tugger AGV include round-the-clock transit of materials, shipping and delivery of products that can aid in route optimization and improvements, and traceability that enables the user to keep a record of the material movement around the facility. Moreover, the information generated by tugger AGV can be integrated into materials resource planning (MRP) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Tugger AGV comes in several models and depending on the industry need can be designed for load carrying capacity and automatic transportation for outdoor environments. Tugger AGVs reduced the labor cost by eliminating the need for man force for transportation of materials. 
• Moreover, as automated tuggers don't have a driver, they can operate day and night. Automated tugger follows a programmed pre-determined path, and the movement of the automated tugger is controlled from the beginning to the end of the process. As tuggers are programmed, it is possible to better control shipments, and the transported products can be traced in real-time. Automated tuggers are equipped with safety devices that prevent them from running into operators on their path. Usage of tugger trains in manufacturing plants enables the loading and unloading of different goods at the same time, ensuring goods can be supplied and disposed of as required. Tugger AGV increases safety in warehouse traffic and promotes optimum usage of the industrial space to increase production, thus strengthening the expansion of tugger AGV market during the projected period.

Restraints:

• Though tugger AGVs reduce labor costs and increase productivity, but it comes at a high initial investment cost. This initial investment can be burdensome for smaller organizations that may not have access to sufficient capital to incorporate tugger AGV. Additionally, tugger AGV needs to undergo routine maintenance and occasional repair. Automated tugger can be an expensive choice for works that are non-repetitive as they are designed for repetitive work thus, hampering the growth of the tugger AGV market over the analysis period.

Opportunities:

• Smart manufacturing is the new revolution that will mark the next generation of production. Some of the disruptive factory trends such as self-aware, self-optimized, and self-configured equipment with the ability to wirelessly communicate with each other are the vital factors fueling the demand for AGVs. Additionally, advanced networking, real-time controls, closer alignment of business management and plant floor activities and supply chains, and additive manufacturing advantages are among others. Among these, "automation" is the most vital component supporting the smart factory concept. Automation provides the foundation for the creation of knowledge-embedded manufacturing operations.
• Moreover, several industry verticals around the globe are employing AGVs to increase productivity. The advancement in technology and the development of LIDAR sensors will transform the functioning of tugger AGVs. LIDAR sensors transmit pulses that measure the distance of the object detected and guide the movement of the vehicle. The camera vision systems allow information to be captured in real-time which aids AGV, to see the obstacles and infrastructure of the installation. This information generated can be combined with the data provided by LIDAR sensors to create a dynamic and complete 3D image of the operational area. Thus, research and development activities to develop more advanced navigation systems are creating a profitable opportunity for the market players, as the demand for AGVs soars in the upcoming years.

Market Segmentation

Segmentation Analysis of Tugger Automated Guided Vehicle Market:

• Depending on navigation technology, the LIDAR, a segment is forecasted to dominate the tugger AGV market. The usage of LIDAR technology in tugger AGV offers incredibly accurate, consistent results. The short wavelength emitted by LIDAR sensors can detect small objects and create exact 3D models, thus it can determine the nature of the object. LIADR sensors emit pulses and receive them back in nanoseconds and can therebby, detect any sudden obstacle in the route and guide the tugger in real-time. Instead of creating robots for warehouse management, LIDAR technology can help the tugger adapt according to the warehouse arrangement thus, promoting the growth of this segment over the analysis period.
• Depending on the hitch, the fully automatic segment is anticipated to lead the tugger AGV market in the projected period. An automatic hitch allows the separation of carts or trolleys carrying the products or goods at predetermined locations. These automatic hitch-equipped tuggers are mostly utilized in manufacturing and distribution environments. Automatic hitch eliminates the human intervention for the separation and joining of carts thus, reducing the labor cost. The growing industrial automation is stimulating the adoption of tugger AGVs having automatic hitch.  
• Depending on the application, the transportation segment is expected to lead the tugger AGV market during the analysis period. Transportation of finished goods to the shipment facility in the warehouse is an important task. Tugger AGVs transfer goods or products from one location to other without any human intervention. With a programmed route and with the assistance of guiding technologies, tugger AGV can pick up and unload materials or products without breaks, slip-ups, or miscalculations. Moreover, they can also transfer other materials in the warehouse from one utility to another.
• Depending on end-users, the food & beverage segment is predicted to have the highest share of the tugger AGV market. Tugger AGV in the food & beverage industry can help in storing raw materials in warehouse locations, deliver raw materials to the production lines, and can load, unload finished goods at pre-determined locations. There are about 36,486 food and beverage processing establishments (plants) in the United States alone. With the upsurge in population, the number of food and beverage plants is also expected to increase thus, the demand for customized tugger AGVs for the food industry is going to exponentially rise over the analysis period.

Regional Analysis of Tugger Automated Guided Vehicle Market:

• The European region is forecasted to have the highest share of the tugger automated guided vehicle market. The concept of smart factory and Industry 4.0, has promoted the automation of industries in this region to increase production efficiency. Industry 4.0 and smart factories are the key factors that have spurred investments in automated guided vehicles in this region. Food and beverage industries are highly regulated for maintaining hygiene and safety, thus the demand for AGVs in this sector has been significantly increased. Europe is home to one of the most abundant food and beverage industries in the world and has more than 286,000 food and beverage companies operating in the region, food and beverage industries are among the fastest-growing end-users in the European region, thus helping the growth of the tugger AGV market.
• The North American region is anticipated to have the second-highest share of the tugger AGV market over the forecast period, attributed to the presence of prominent service providers in this region. Tech giant Amazon has more than 45,000 AGVs for warehouse management. Similarly, many small and mid-sized businesses in this region are moving towards AGVs to increase productivity. Furthermore, tugger AGVs can also be employed for the logistics processes of pharmaceutical manufacturers and for the automotive industry thus, supporting the growth of the tugger AGV market in this region.
• The tugger AGV market in the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to develop at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Countries such as India, China, and Japan are the major contributors to the development of the tugger AGV market in this region. The industrial evolution 4.0 and the rapid adoption of automation by different industry verticals in this region have increased the demand for automated tuggers and other vehicles. Pharmaceutical and automotive industries in this region are adopting automated tugger to reduce the human error involved during the storage and transportation of finished goods. For instance, the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI), Government of India, has implemented Samarth Udyog Bharat 4.0 initiative, to promote the adoption of best practices of Industry 4.0 for the capital goods industry.

Players Covered in Tugger Automated Guided Vehicle Market are:

• Daifuku (Japan)
• Dematic (US)
• Egemin Automation (US)
• JBT (US)
• Meidensha (Japan)
• Corecon (US)
• Seegrid (US)
• Aethon (US)
• Doerfer (US)
• Savant Automation (US)
• Bastian Solutions (US)
• Murata (Japan)
• Scott (Switzerland)
• Wolter Group LLC (US) and others major players.

Recent Industry Developments In Tugger Automated Guided Vehicle Market

• In November 2023, Movella, Inc., a U.S.-based sensor technology provider, partnered with Advantech, a Taiwanese industrial IoT provider, to advance the development of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robot systems. This collaboration focuses on simplifying material handling for customers, reducing solution compatibility challenges, and accelerating time-to-market for tugger AGV solutions.
• In October 2023, Align Production Systems, a U.S. material handling solutions provider, collaborated with Kollmorgen, a leader in vehicle control systems, to enhance the efficiency and reliability of tugger AGV systems. These systems, designed by Align Production Systems and powered by Kollmorgen’s NDC solutions, aim to transform manufacturing by enabling the seamless transport of heavy and large products within facilities.
• In March 2023, Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas launched the Jungheinrich EKX 516ka/516a Automated High-Rack Stacker for its U.S. market. Designed for narrow aisle operations with high storage density, this product optimizes material handling, boosting efficiency and productivity. Its introduction underscores the evolving capabilities of tugger AGVs in meeting diverse logistical needs.