AGV
Automated Guided Vehicle; mobile platform that usually follows predefined paths or markers.
Robotics
Robotics glossary
AMR
Autonomous Mobile Robot; uses sensing and mapping to navigate with greater flexibility.
Cobot
Robot designed with features that can enable collaborative operation after application risk assessment.
End effector
Tool attached to the robot wrist, such as a gripper, welder or camera.
Payload
Maximum load the robot can handle under stated conditions.
Reach
Working distance available to the robot arm.
Repeatability
Ability to return to a taught position consistently.
Machine vision
Cameras, optics and software used to inspect or guide actions.
Force/torque sensor
Sensor that measures contact forces and moments.
SLAM
Simultaneous Localization and Mapping; building a map while estimating position.
Fleet manager
Software coordinating tasks, traffic and charging across mobile robots.
Digital twin
Digital representation used to simulate equipment or operations.
Robot foundation model
Broad model trained to support multiple robotic tasks or embodiments.
VLA model
Vision-Language-Action model linking images and language to actions.
Teleoperation
Human remote control of a robot.
Learning by demonstration
Training a robot using examples of a task.
Inference
Running a trained model to produce a prediction or action.
Edge computing
Processing near the robot or operation rather than only in a remote cloud.
Functional safety
Engineering discipline ensuring safety functions respond predictably to faults.
Risk assessment
Structured analysis of hazards, exposure, severity and protective measures.
OEE
Overall Equipment Effectiveness; combines availability, performance and quality.
RaaS
Robotics as a Service; commercial model based on recurring payment or usage.
Frequently asked questions
Does a cobot always work without guarding?
No. Collaborative features do not make every application safe without guarding. Tooling, speed, payload, workpiece and contact scenarios require a risk assessment.
Are humanoids commercially available?
Some platforms can be purchased or contracted, while others remain prototypes or pilots. Availability must be separated from proven production capability for a specific task.
Is an impressive video proof of autonomy?
No. Check whether the task was autonomous, scripted, teleoperated, controlled or edited, and request continuous operational evidence.
When is an AMR better than an AGV?
When route flexibility and dynamic navigation add value. Stable repetitive routes can still favor simpler approaches.
Where do GPUs fit?
They support training, simulation, synthetic data and increasingly edge inference. The safe control architecture still needs deterministic protections.
What should a pilot measure?
Throughput, quality, safety, interventions, uptime, recovery, integration, maintenance and total operating cost.
What matters in Brazil?
NR-12 safety, import and tax structure, possible INMETRO or ANATEL requirements, LGPD when personal data is processed, and local integration and support.
Does Wisia represent the companies listed?
No representation or partnership is implied. Profiles are independent editorial references unless the site explicitly states otherwise.