We’re back in the office after CeMAT Australia 2025, and aside from getting used to the massive timezone shift, we’re also ready to consolidate and share the conversations we had with over 5,000 logistics, operations, and supply chain professionals at this massive event. For three days, our corner of the Sydney Olympic Park felt like the absolute center of the logistics world. The conversations we had, from the show opening to the final hour, all echoed one central theme: everyone is under immense pressure to modernize, and they are actively searching for a smarter path toward the automated warehouse. After countless discussions, it's clear that the demand for effective automated warehouse and manufacturing systems has never been higher, but the path forward has, until now, been incredibly confusing.
The Great Debate: Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) vs. Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)
There’s a ton of confusion out there, and we heard it all at our booth. People are trying to understand the fundamental difference between an AMR robot and an AGV robot. For years, the AGV meaning was simple: a vehicle that followed a physical line on the floor. These traditional AGVs are the workhorses of many facilities, but the thought of installing and maintaining their guidance infrastructure is a major headache. On the other side, you have the exciting world of AMR robotics. The promise of an AMR warehouse, where intelligent robots navigate freely, is compelling. But for businesses with highly structured workflows, the potential for path variability with a warehouse AMR system can be a source of anxiety.
What we heard over and over was a simple frustration: "We need the predictable, fixed routes of an AGV, along with the strength to lift heavy payloads for our structured process, but we dread the thought of tearing up our floors for tapes or reflectors. We want the intelligence of AMR automation without the operational chaos." This is the exact dilemma that has stalled progress toward a truly efficient automated warehouse system for so many.
The "Aha!" Moment: AMR Tech on AGV Structured Path with Lifting Power
This is where the lightbulbs really started going on for our visitors. They came to us thinking they had to choose between old-school installation headaches or unpredictable robots. We showed them there's a third, much better way to deploy automated guided vehicles.
The real highlight for us was watching people grasp this concept. We’d explain, "Think of it this way: our robots use the same advanced LiDAR navigation and laser safety as an AMR robot to see and map your facility. But they operate with the discipline, power and lift height capacity of an AGV robot."
Throughout the event, a recurring point of validation came from operations managers themselves. After discussing the technology, they would often summarize the primary benefit: achieving the modern, infrastructure-free setup of an AMR while retaining controlled circuits, and the lift capacity and height of an AGV. It was clear this combination addressed a critical gap in the current market for automated warehouse pallet management systems.
We showed them how it works. We start with our "LiDAR magic wand" to create a precise digital map in hours. Then, in our simulation software, we work with the customer to draw the exact circuits (including picks and drops) their operation requires. The automated forklift will stick to that virtual "rail" with absolute precision. This predictability is crucial, especially when integrating with other automated storage solutions like an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS). And when an obstacle appears, the autonomous forklift comes to a safe, controlled stop, resuming its mission only when the path is clear. It’s safe, predictable, and consistent.
A Robot for Every Task, A Fleet for Every Facility
Another major topic of conversation was scalability and application diversity. A common question was, "That’s great for moving pallets from A to B, but what about our other processes?" This is where we got to showcase the true power of BALYO robotic forklifts: we have a complete line of automated warehouse robots designed to cover virtually every type of warehouse or manufacturing application.
We explained how a facility can begin its automation journey with our robotic stackers for simple horizontal transport—moving goods from the receiving dock to a staging area, for instance. For more complex needs, our robotic tow tractors can pull long trains of carts to supply manufacturing lines with parts just-in-time.
For vertical movement and automated storage, we talked about our range of stackers and reach trucks. These AGV forklift models, like the BALYO LOWY and REACHY are perfect for placing goods into low, mid, and high-level racking, automating the put-away process with incredible accuracy. The real game-changer for many visitors was learning about our VEENY, Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) autonomous forklift. We explained how this specialized AGV robot allows them to dramatically increase their storage density and maximize their existing footprint, a far more cost-effective solution than building a new extension.
Crucially, we emphasized that all these different automated warehouse robots—from the “simplest” stacker forklift to the most advanced VNA robot — are powered by the same core BALYO intelligence and managed by the same fleet software. This means a business can start with one application and seamlessly add different types of robots as their needs evolve, creating a single, cohesive, and fully automated warehouse system over time.
This straightforward, best-of-both-worlds approach was a huge relief for so many people we spoke to. It removes the two biggest fears that come with automation projects: the headache of a massive installation and the anxiety of losing process control. It proves that creating a facility with autonomous warehouse robots doesn't have to be a decade-long dream, but a near-term reality.
We came to Sydney to show that we're serious about bringing better, smarter automation to Australia, and the response was amazing. The handshakes at the booth are already turning into real-world projects. So, a huge thank you to everyone who stopped by Stand H22. Thank you for sharing your warehouse and manufacturing automation headaches and for letting us show you a new way forward. Those conversations are what this is all about, and we can't wait to continue them.
