--- title: ANT server AGV/AMR Fleet Manager by BlueBotics description: ANT server AGV/AMR fleet management software by BlueBotics is built to control and manage ‘ANT driven’ and VDA 5050-based fleets of mobile robots. image: https://www.antdriven.com/hubfs/ANT%20server%20AGV%20AMR%20fleet%20manager%20software%20-%20feat.jpg --- [Skip navigation](https://www.antdriven.com/ant-server-agv-amr-fleet-manager#accessibility) # ANT server ## Learn More About This Powerful AGV/AMR Fleet Manager ANT server is BlueBotics' powerful AGV & AMR mission and fleet management software. This proven tool is used to control and manage interoperable fleets of ‘ANT driven’ and/or VDA 5050-based vehicles. ## What is ANT server? ![ANTserver-pillarpage-img1-1](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANTserver-pillarpage-img1-1.jpg?width=1000&height=563&name=ANTserver-pillarpage-img1-1.jpg) ANT server is a mission and fleet management software suite for automated guided vehicles (AGVs), automated forklifts, and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). ANT server is produced by [BlueBotics](https://www.bluebotics.com), the industry’s leading supplier of autonomous navigation technology. The company’s [ANT navigation](https://www.antdriven.com/ant-natural-navigation) (a type of natural feature navigation) today drives [over 150 models](https://www.antdriven.com/vehicle-finder) of mobile robot, spanning multiple brands. Over 6,000 ‘ANT driven’ vehicles are in operation globally. ANT server was developed over the past two decades, initially to manage the missions and fleet operations of BlueBotics’ ‘ANT driven’ vehicles. However today, in addition to the native vehicle interoperability that is possible when ANT server controls ANT driven vehicles, ANT server is also compatible with [VDA 5050](https://insights.antdriven.com/vda-5050-standard-ant-compatible)-standard AGVs and AMRs. ### What functionality does ANT server include? ANT server offers all the features required to manage everything from a single vehicle to a fully operational multi-brand fleet: - Mission scheduling  - Real-time visualization - Simulation - Traffic control - Battery charge management - Interfacing with equipment & software - Multi-brand fleet management ## How does ANT server work?     ### ANT server functionality: in detail When working with a fleet of [ANT driven vehicles](https://www.antdriven.com/vehicle-finder), ANT server works off the site map created in BlueBotics’ ANT lab configuration software, dispatching missions to whichever robot (AGV/AMR) is the most efficient choice. ![ANT server agv amr fleet controller](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-how-it-works-1.jpg?width=1500&height=843&name=ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-how-it-works-1.jpg) #### Mission scheduling ![ANT server agv amr fleet manager software](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-mission-scheduling.jpg?width=1500&height=842&name=ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-mission-scheduling.jpg) ANT server's intelligent scheduler selects and deploys the right vehicle for each mission, based on user-configurable parameters. This includes making sure the vehicle can fit in the space available and carry the payload requested. Missions can be requested in several ways: - Via your existing business software using ANT server’s dedicated API. - Via an input from any type of PLC that supports OPC UA or Modbus communication: for example, when a sensor detects a pallet, or at the push of a button. - Via ANT monitor (ANT server’s web interface). Missions can be cancelled manually, for example via the ANT monitor web interface or an API request. They can also be cancelled automatically, for example in case of vehicle issues, via an API request, or via a push button/vehicle HMI screen. #### Real-time visualization & monitoring ![ANT server agv amr fleet controller](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-real-time-visualization.jpg?width=1500&height=842&name=ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-real-time-visualization.jpg) Missions can be visualized, in real-time, using ANT server’s intuitive web interface, ANT monitor. This visualization is also useful when testing new installations. ANT monitor includes:  - Mission execution visualization - Error visualization - System statistics - ANT monitor can also be used to visualize project simulations. ANT monitor also features four levels of user access, with the option to connect via Active Directory. #### Simulation ![ANT server agv amr fleet controller](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-simulation.jpg?width=1500&height=842&name=ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-simulation.jpg) To ensure an AGV or AMR project runs seamlessly from day one, there is ANT server’s sophisticated Simulator tool.  Using the digital twin created in ANT lab, ANT server Simulator allows your vehicle integrator to run and test your project using virtual vehicles first – simulating everything from individual AGV missions to full-scale fleet operations featuring multiple vehicles picking and dropping, charging, devices and more. This ability is useful at the project planning stage, as it can help your vehicle supplier or third-party integrator precisely estimate how many vehicles your site will require. Plus, this simulation function enables your vehicle supplier to test and optimize numerous other parameters, such as: - The number of missions required - The optimal charging strategy - The most efficient vehicle speeds - Traffic management - Plus, your integrator can use ANT server’s Simulator to stress-test any software integrations they have programmed (e.g. ANT server -> WMS/MES/ERP). #### Traffic control ![ANT server agv amr fleet supervisor](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-traffic-control.jpg?width=1500&height=842&name=ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-traffic-control.jpg) ANT server’s intelligent traffic manager seamlessly coordinates the movement of different vehicles at locations such as intersections, doors, elevators etc. This ensures intersections are never blocked, working on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. This deadlock-free traffic control is fully automatic, by default, and it can also be configured to suit your site’s specific needs. #### Battery charge management ![ANT server agv amr fleet supervisor](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-battery-management.jpg?width=1500&height=842&name=ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-battery-management.jpg) ANT server receives battery status data from every vehicle in its fleet by default. When a vehicle’s battery falls to a pre-determined (and user-configurable) level, ANT server recognizes this and immediately determines when, and where, the vehicle must go to recharge its battery. ANT server includes three ‘charging modes’ by default. Vehicles can be set to charge whenever idle (opportunity charging), when their battery charge level falls lower than the fleet’s average, or when a vehicle’s individual battery level is low (under 20% by default). If a vehicle is between missions and does not need to recharge, it goes to the nearest parking space by default. #### Interfacing with equipment & software ![ANT server agv amr fleet control](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-interfacing-equipment.jpg?width=1500&height=842&name=ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-interfacing-equipment.jpg) ANT server can communicate with on-site equipment – such as conveyors, elevators, automatic doors and more – by managing the flow of requests and responses between vehicles and an external device’s PLC. This communication is programmed via ANT software’s Devices function, using either Modbus or OPC UA protocols. Missions can also be triggered and monitored via your standard business software (WMS/MES/ERP etc.) thanks to ANT server’s REST API. Once programmed, this allows your team to manage your AGV operation via a familiar interface. #### Multi-brand fleet management ANT server is a cross-platform solution, built with vehicle interoperability in mind. It selects and deploys the right vehicle for each mission, seamlessly coordinates vehicles at intersections, and provides operators with a complete overview of their fleet in real-time. ANT server is capable of natively managing over [150 different models](https://www.antdriven.com/vehicle-finder?vehicles%5BrefinementList%5D%5BMultiBrandFleet%5D%5B0%5D=Yes) of ‘ANT driven’ AGV and AMR, no matter what a vehicle’s type. If your automation project requires a specific vehicle type that is not available within the ANT driven ecosystem of vehicles, ANT server can also manage non-ANT driven vehicles that are compatible with the VDA 5050 interoperability standard. ![ANT server vda 5050](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANTserver-pillarpage-img9-Multi-brandFleet-bis.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&name=ANTserver-pillarpage-img9-Multi-brandFleet-bis.jpg) Note: The functionality offered by this standard at the time of writing is below that of ANT server’s native capabilities, and additional programming time and cost is required to integrate such VDA 5050 vehicles into a fully mixed fleet. [Contact us](https://www.antdriven.com/contact-us) to learn more. #### Full statistics & reporting ![ANT server agv amr fleet control](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-statistics-reporting-analytics.jpg?width=1500&height=842&name=ANT%20server-agv-amr-fleet-manager-statistics-reporting-analytics.jpg) To assess and optimize how an AGV/AMR installation is performing, ANT server includes full statistics and reporting. These statistics cover important parameters such as: - Mission success rates – useful for checking effectiveness of the installation and any modifications made - Vehicle occupation times – useful for optimizing the number (and type) of vehicles in use - Errors and alarms (i.e. displayed on a heat map) – useful for identifying problematic vehicles and/or stations - Average battery charge levels – useful for optimizing a project’s charging strategy - And more... ![ANT-lab-configuration-software-1](https://7450903.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7450903/ANT-lab-configuration-software-1.png) **ANT lab ****configuration software** ANT lab is BlueBotics’ proven vehicle and mission configuration software. It is used by AGV/AMR integrators to configure vehicles, map sites, program routes and actions, and make any future modifications required. Worth knowing: Unlike systems that require continual communication between vehicles and fleet manager, ANT lab’s map data is saved directly onboard each vehicle. This data includes not only the map, but all the route and action data a vehicle might need during its missions. This results in the highest possible vehicle autonomy, low network bandwidth demands, and reliable project performance. ## 3 mission scenarios Below we examine three common AGV/AMR use cases in order to explore how ANT server interacts with automated vehicles and their environments. (Click to enlarge images.) #### 1. From production line to racking  ![ANT-server-fleet-manager-scenario-1](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT-server-fleet-manager-scenario-1.jpg?width=2000&name=ANT-server-fleet-manager-scenario-1.jpg) ** #### 2. From conveyor to shipping ![ANT-server-fleet-manager-scenario-2](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT-server-fleet-manager-scenario-2.jpg?width=2000&name=ANT-server-fleet-manager-scenario-2.jpg) ** #### 3. Moving conveyor loads between floors ![ANT-server-fleet-manager-scenario-3](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT-server-fleet-manager-scenario-3.jpg?width=2000&name=ANT-server-fleet-manager-scenario-3.jpg) ** ## How is ANT server integrated on-site? With its range of device controllers and REST API, ANT server is flexible enough to slot into any business’s operation. - ANT server’s device controller links virtual devices (programmed in ANT lab/server software) to physical devices such as sensors or machine PLCs. Virtual devices are available for all common functions, such as load presence detection, mission call buttons, fire detection, and basic I/Os. Device controllers support Modbus and OPC UA communication. - ANT server also provides a REST API, which can be used to interface your AGV/AMR operation with your existing business software (WMS, MES, ERP etc.). This enables your team to use the latter tool to understand which vehicle is where, if any vehicles have errors etc. The schematic below shows a basic integration of ANT server fleet manager. To discuss your particular needs or questions, please [get in touch](https://www.antdriven.com/contact-us). ![AGV AMR fleet manager integration](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANTserver-pillarpage-img11-IntegrationANTserver-1.jpg?width=1200&height=675&name=ANTserver-pillarpage-img11-IntegrationANTserver-1.jpg)   ## Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Below are the questions our team is asked most frequently about ANT server fleet manager. If you have more questions, do not hesitate to [contact us](https://www.antdriven.com/contact-us). ## What types of AGVs, automated forklifts, and AMRs can ANT server control? ANT server can manage any type of automated vehicle that is either based on BlueBotics [ANT navigation](https://www.antdriven.com/ant-natural-navigation) (preferred) or the VDA 5050 AGV interoperability standard. It can even manage the traffic of non-ANT and non-VDA legacy AGVs and AMRs, through the use of interlocks.  The vehicles controlled by ANT server today include [AGVs](https://www.antdriven.com/automated-guided-vehicles) of all kinds (forked, underride, unit load, heavy transporter shuttles etc.), [autonomous mobile robots ](https://www.antdriven.com/autonomous-mobile-robots)(AMRs), [automated forklifts](https://www.antdriven.com/what-is-an-automated-forklift) that often offer hybrid (automated/manual) operation. Even service robots such as automated cleaning robots. ANT server suits vehicles with virtually any type of steering system (tricycle, car-like, even omnidirectional machines) and is not limited by payload weight or size, managing robots that carry from as little as 100 kg right up to 100 tons. Read [-> How to select an AGV/AMR fleet manager partner](https://insights.antdriven.com/select-an-agv/amr-fleet-manager-partner) ## How many vehicles can ANT server manage in a single fleet? ANT server is powerful enough to manage fleets of hundred of vehicles, and thousands of pick/drop positions. ![ANT server AGV AMR fleet manager](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANT%20server%20AGV%20AMR%20fleet%20manager.gif?width=1792&height=1045&name=ANT%20server%20AGV%20AMR%20fleet%20manager.gif) ## Can ANT server manage VDA 5050 vehicles? Yes. However, since this [interoperability standard](https://insights.antdriven.com/vda-5050-standard-ant-compatible) is still evolving, the functionality it offers is currently below that of ANT server, meaning additional custom development by the integrator may be required to achieve adequate performance. ## How can ANT server integrate with my existing WMS/MES/ERP system? ANT server provides a REST API, which your integrator can use to interface your AGV/AMR operation with your existing business software (WMS, MES, ERP etc.). This enables your team to use your existing tool to understand which vehicle is where, if any vehicles have errors etc. ## How accurate are ANT server's payload pick-ups? Every AGV or AMR that is driven by BlueBotics’ [ANT navigation technology](https://www.antdriven.com/ant-natural-navigation) can achieve a pick-up accuracy of approximately 1 cm/1°. Vehicles that are not ‘ANT driven’ – such as VDA 5050 vehicles for example – offer different levels of accuracy, which ANT server cannot impact. To learn more about how ANT driven vehicles can pick-up different types of payloads, see [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3HeZBgXdbs). ## Can ANT server control vehicles outdoors (i.e. when moving payloads between buildings?) Yes, ANT server can control AGVs both indoors and outdoors. ## Can ANT server manage operations spanning multiple storeys? Yes, ANT server is capable of managing fleets operating across multiple floors of a building, thanks to its advanced map handling and elevator control capabilities. Below is an example of a multi-storey AGV installation. ![ANTserver-MultipleFloorsProject-ezgif.com-optimize](https://www.antdriven.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANTserver-MultipleFloorsProject-ezgif.com-optimize.gif?width=1920&height=1080&name=ANTserver-MultipleFloorsProject-ezgif.com-optimize.gif) ## How many AGV charging stations do I need and when does a vehicle go to charge? ANT server automatically sends vehicles to the nearest applicable charging station when required, as defined by the charging mode chosen (see 'Battery charge management' section above). The ideal ratio of charging stations to vehicles is one to one, but this is not mandatory. ANT server's Simulator tool is helpful for assessing how many charging stations (and indeed vehicles) are required to run an effective operation. Once an AGV project is in production, ANT server's 'Average battery charge level' statistic can also be a useful input. ## How are ANT driven AGVs and AMRs installed on-site? The video below explains the 5 simple steps involved in mapping a site and creating the routes and actions that vehicles will use during their missions:   ## How do ANT server licences work? ANT server’s licensing model is designed to reduce the level of upfront investment by scaling with the number of vehicles in operation. BlueBotics offers a range of payment models, including subscription pricing. For a detailed discussion, please [get in touch](https://www.antdriven.com/contact-us). ## How much does ANT server cost? ANT served is charged on a per-site basis. The cost of an single-site ANT server license is then based upon how many vehicles are in operation. Different payment models are available. Please [get in touch](https://www.antdriven.com/contact-us) to learn more. ## If I deploy ANT server as my company's global fleet manager, who will support me at a vehicle and fleet manager level? Several companies have adopted ANT server as their regional - or even global - fleet supervisor software. As mentioned in the question above, each individual site is controlled by one ANT server instance, featuring its own specific vehicles and devices. While different support models are available and can be discussed, at BlueBotics we recommend that each separate installation is managed by a lead integrator (often the site’s primary AGV/AMR supplier, but this can also be a third-party system integrator). Their role is to plan and simulate the project with you, commission the vehicles, configure integrations with software and equipment, and thereafter to provide first-level installation support. It is also possible, however, to request direct fleet manager-level support, simulation services and training from BlueBotics. Please [get in touch](https://www.antdriven.com/contact-us) for more information. Read [-> How to write an AGV/AMR fleet manager RFQ](https://insights.antdriven.com/how-write-agv-amr-fleet-manager-rfq) ### Plan now for an automated future Transitioning to automated guided vehicles can be a practical means of future-proofing your business, enabling you to boost efficiency, increase capacity, and at the same time improve safety on-site. So, with the automated guided vehicle market set to boom in the coming years, now is the perfect time to consider your AGV strategy. 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