How did the programming of early Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) primarily operate?

Following a fixed path defined by embedded infrastructure like wires or magnetic strips.

The generation of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) represented an early step in automation but lacked the intelligence inherent in modern Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). The defining characteristic of their operation was rigidity; they were programmed to follow predetermined physical pathways. This programming meant they relied on infrastructure embedded in the floor, such as wires or magnetic strips, to guide their movement. This method is contrasted sharply with contemporary robotics software, which requires the ability to react to unforeseen elements like obstacles, calculate alternative routes dynamically, and maintain sophisticated communication with higher-level control systems.