The full name of AMR is Autonomous Mobile Robots, with the focus on robots; whereas the full name of AGV is Automated Guided Vehicles, with the focus on vehicles.
So the answer is clear:
AGV is a guided vehicle that emerged earlier and uses magnetic strips or guide rails to guide the vehicle for automatic travel. It requires the installation of guide rails and magnetic strips, which involves changes to the site’s infrastructure.
AMR, on the other hand, is a self-driving handling robot that integrates the latest technologies such as laser, radar, mapping, and path planning algorithms, completely free from the constraints of magnetic strips and guide rails. Being free from the constraints of magnetic strips and guide rails allows it to adapt flexibly and quickly to the site, automatically adjust to changes in the site, plan routes in real time, and avoid obstacles.
In summary, you can think of it this way: AGV is like a driverless tram, while AMR is like a driverless car.
Therefore, if your factory is traditional, strictly standardized, has fixed business operations, and does not mind the time it takes to lay guide rails and subsequent rail maintenance, then you can use AGVs. AMRs are more suitable for slightly complex environments, where there is no need to change the site’s infrastructure, rapid deployment is needed, autonomous obstacle avoidance is required, or automatic planning is necessary.