Inside this guide: how AMRs differ from AGVs, what the 100–600 kg payload class is used for, and how Pudu Robotics’ T300 and T600 Series fit factory delivery in this band.
When you select factory delivery robots by payload, the 100–600 kg band is the sweet spot for intralogistics. It is heavy enough to move components, totes, work-in-progress, and full racks, yet light enough to run in mixed human-robot aisles without specialized infrastructure. The question for most plants is not only how much a robot can carry, but whether to use a traditional automated guided vehicle (AGV) or a more flexible autonomous mobile robot (AMR).
AMR vs. AGV: what is the difference?
Both move loads automatically, but they navigate very differently, and that difference drives cost, flexibility, and deployment time.
- AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle): follows a fixed, pre-installed path — magnetic tape, embedded wire, or floor markers. AGVs are dependable for stable, repetitive routes, but changing a route means changing the physical guidance, and they typically stop and wait when something blocks the path.
- AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot): uses onboard sensors and SLAM to build a map and localize in real time. It plans its own route, reroutes around obstacles, and adapts when the layout changes — no tape or wire required.
In practice, AMRs are increasingly favored for factories whose layouts evolve, because they avoid the civil works and rigidity of guided systems. Pudu Robotics’ industrial robots are AMRs designed to deliver the reliability operators expect from AGVs while keeping the flexibility of free navigation. Pudu notes the T300 can be commissioned roughly 70% faster than a traditional AGV.
The 100–600 kg payload class: what it is for
This payload band maps to the most common factory delivery jobs:
- Line-side replenishment of parts and consumables to assembly stations.
- Work-in-progress transfer between processing, packaging, and storage.
- Milk-run routes that visit multiple stops on a repeating schedule.
- Putaway and staging of goods to and from docks.
- Shelf-to-line and shelf-to-shelf moves where the robot carries a whole rack.
Pudu addresses the core of this band — the demanding 300–600 kg mid-to-heavy segment where manual trolleys and tuggers are slowest and most labor-intensive — with two platforms.
Pudu’s AMR options for 100–600 kg delivery
PUDU T300 — 300 kg mid-load AMR
The T300 transports up to 300 kg using VSLAM+ and LiDAR navigation, with no floor markers. It offers Auto-Delivery, Follow mode (visual tracking so it trails an operator for kitting and milk-runs), and an electric power-assist mode for hand-pushing. A self-organizing fleet can run up to 20 T300s together, and the robot integrates with elevators, doors, and paging via Pudu’s open platform. With up to 12 hours of runtime and automatic recharging, it is built for continuous shifts.
PUDU T600 — 600 kg heavy-payload AMR
The standard T600 carries up to 600 kg and includes a touchscreen, ergonomic handlebar, quick-access buttons, and a power-assist switch. It can operate without a central control system, which simplifies deployment where occasional manual handling is part of the flow. The series adds idle-elevator prioritization for multi-floor sites and supports on-premises deployment for data-sensitive environments.
PUDU T600 Underride — 600 kg rack mover
The Underride is a low-profile chassis (about 845 × 500 × 255 mm) that slips beneath racks and shelves, lifts them, and carries them autonomously. Its rack-group recognition identifies target shelf positions and performs unmanned pick-up and drop-off — well suited to high-density shelf-to-line replenishment without retrofitting carts.
Specification comparison
| Feature | PUDU T300 | PUDU T600 | T600 Underride |
| Payload | Up to 300 kg | Up to 600 kg | Up to 600 kg |
| Role | Mid-load delivery | Heavy delivery | Rack lift & move |
| Form factor | Top-deck robot | Cart w/ handlebar | Low-profile chassis |
| Navigation | VSLAM+ & LiDAR | Advanced SLAM | SLAM + rack recognition |
| Key strength | Flexible milk-runs | Heavy single-trip moves | Shelf-to-line density |
| Battery | Up to 12 h | 12 h | 12 h |
| Charging | Auto-recharge | 2 h fast charge | 2 h fast charge |
| Fleet / standards | Up to 20 robots | VDA5050, idle-elevator | VDA5050, on-prem |
Figures reflect Pudu’s published specifications and may vary by configuration and site.
Why AMRs are replacing AGVs in this payload class
For 100–600 kg factory delivery, the economics increasingly favor AMRs:
- No fixed infrastructure: marker-free SLAM removes the cost and downtime of installing and maintaining tape or wire.
- Faster deployment: software mapping and quick updates let robots follow layout changes — Pudu cites about 70% faster commissioning for the T300 than a traditional AGV.
- Dynamic obstacle handling: AMRs reroute around people and pallets instead of halting, keeping flows moving in busy aisles.
- Fleet scale: self-organizing scheduling coordinates many robots and avoids congestion; VDA5050 support lets Pudu units work alongside other vendors’ fleets.
- Safety in shared spaces: 360° perception, ISO 3691-4 alignment, and path projection support mixed human-robot operation.
Matching payload to the job: FAQ
What size robot do I need for line-side delivery?
If you move totes, parts, and trolley loads, the 300 kg T300 typically fits. For heavy parts or full-rack moves, step up to the 600 kg T600 or T600 Underride. Choosing the next size up gives headroom as volumes grow.
Do I need an underride (rack-lifting) robot?
Choose the Underride when you want to move entire shelves or racks rather than loose goods, especially in dense storage. The T600 Underride drives under the rack, lifts, and transports it, which removes manual cart handling at the line.
Can I mix robot types and brands?
Yes. The T600 Series supports VDA5050, a standard interface for communicating with higher-level fleet managers, so Pudu robots can operate within multi-vendor fleets and existing control systems.
Are these robots suitable for 24/7 factories?
Both platforms offer roughly 12-hour battery life with automatic recharging, and the T600 adds 2-hour fast charging, so fleets can sustain continuous operation with minimal idle time.
The bottom line
For 100–600 kg factory delivery, AMRs now offer the reliability of AGVs without their fixed infrastructure or rigidity — a better match for plants whose layouts change. Pudu Robotics covers the mid-to-heavy core of this band with the 300 kg T300 and the 600 kg T600 Series, including the rack-lifting T600 Underride, all marker-free and fleet-ready. To size the right configuration for your delivery routes, request a demonstration or technical consultation from Pudu Robotics.
About this guide
This article is informational content comparing AMR and AGV approaches and Pudu Robotics’ 100–600 kg delivery products.Product details are drawn from Pudu Robotics’ official product documentation and announcements. Specifications may vary by configuration, region, and site conditions; confirm current figures at pudurobotics.com/en
