An autonomous tugger (an automated tow tractor) pulls a train of carts along a fixed route, such as parts runs from a warehouse to assembly lines. Makers publish towing capacities from about 3,000 kg to 20,000 kg and automatic speeds of roughly 4–5 mph (about 2 m/s). Seegrid, Vecna, Cyngn, Hyster, Yale and BALYO sell purpose-built tuggers; Toyota, Linde and Jungheinrich sell automated versions of their tow tractors that can also be driven by hand. None of them publishes a list price: Cyngn sells a monthly subscription without stating the amount, and the rest quote per project.
For Seegrid’s tugger next to its lift trucks, see Seegrid AMR models: EL1, RS1, CR1 and Tow Tractor S7.
Autonomous tuggers by towing capacity and speed
| Maker and model | Navigation | Towing capacity (as published) | Automatic speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seegrid Tow Tractor S7 | 3D camera vision; lidar for safety | 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) total across carts | 4 mph |
| Vecna Autonomous Tugger (ATG) | Infrastructure-free | 4,500 kg (9,920 lb) | 5 mph (2 m/s) |
| Cyngn DriveMod Tugger (Motrec MT-160) | 3D lidar plus 2D safety lidar | 12,000 lb (5,443 kg) towing; 500 lb on the vehicle | 4 mph (6 mph manual) |
| Toyota Core Tow Tractor Automated (US) | Lidar natural-feature | 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) | 4 mph at full load |
| Toyota TAE500 Autopilot (Europe) | Reflector, natural or dual | 5,000 kg rated load | 6 km/h laden |
| Linde P-MATIC | No reflectors or floor tracks | 3,000–5,000 kg | 8 km/h (spec table) |
| Jungheinrich EZS 350a | Not stated | 5,000 kg | 12.5 km/h (model table; mode not stated) |
| Hyster Atlas LO150TR | 2D lidar SLAM; 3D cameras for obstacles | 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) | 4.5 mph (2 m/s) |
| Yale MO150TR | Not stated | 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) | 4.5 mph |
| BALYO TUGGY | Infrastructure-free SLAM | 7,000 kg (15,000 lb) pulling capacity | 2 m/s (4 mph) |
| MasterMover AGV TOW range | BlueBotics natural navigation or line follow | Up to 20,000 kg | Up to 2.5 m/s |
Towing capacity is the total load the tugger can pull, usually on level floor; it is a different number from what a pallet AMR carries on its deck, so compare it only with other tuggers. Seegrid states its 10,000 lb as the total for all carts in the train. Ask every vendor for the capacity at your floor slope and cart count, since the spec pages above give one figure each.
Manual driving, automatic hitching and safety standards
| Model | Can be driven manually | Automatic hitching | Safety standards named by the maker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seegrid S7 | Not published | Auto-Hitch option | ANSI/ITSDF B56.5-2019, ANSI B11.0, UL 583, ANSI R15.08 |
| Vecna ATG | Yes, ride-on with tiller | Hitch and unhitch add-on | ISO 13849-1:2015 PL d, ANSI/ITSDF B56.5, RIA R15.08 |
| Cyngn DriveMod Tugger | Yes, steering wheel | Optional auto-unhitch | Not named on the spec sheet |
| Toyota Core Tow Tractor Automated | Yes, manual control as needed | Automatic coupler hitch | Not named on the product page |
| Toyota TAE500 Autopilot | Yes | Optional automatic coupling at set stations | Noise standard only on the spec sheet |
| Linde P-MATIC | Yes, switchable | Not published | Not named |
| Jungheinrich EZS 350a | Yes, manual and automated modes | Automated coupling (North American page) | Not named |
| Hyster Atlas LO150TR | Yes, switchable | Automated hitch and unhitch option | ANSI/ITSDF B56.5-2012, ISO 3691-4:2020 |
| Yale MO150TR | Not stated | Auto hitch and unhitch | ANSI/ITSDF B56.5-2012, ISO 3691-4:2020, ISO 3691-1 |
| BALYO TUGGY | Push-button semi-automatic mode | With BALYO automatic trailers | PL d safety sensors; standard not named |
| MasterMover AGV TOW | Not stated | Autonomous connecting | Not named |
“Not named” means the product page doesn’t cite a standard; it says nothing about whether the truck complies, so ask for the declaration of conformity or third-party report. Our AMR safety standards guide explains what ISO 3691-4, R15.08 and B56.5 each cover. Hyster and Yale still cite the 2020 edition of ISO 3691-4, which ISO has replaced with the 2023 edition. None of the pages mention VDA 5050, the open interface that lets one fleet manager run several brands; ask if you plan a mixed fleet.
Where each type fits
- Purpose-built autonomous tuggers (Seegrid, Vecna, Hyster, Yale, BALYO, Cyngn) suit fixed milk-run routes that run all shift. Vecna and Cyngn also let a driver take over, which helps when routes change or the robot is down.
- Automated versions of standard tow tractors (Toyota, Linde, Jungheinrich) keep the familiar truck and service network and can run as normal manned tractors in peak periods.
- Heavy and special loads: MasterMover’s range goes to 20,000 kg for moving heavy assemblies rather than parts carts.
- Light cart moving belongs to smaller AMRs: ABB’s Flexley Tug T702 lists 1,600 N of towing force, and Aethon’s TUG T3 carries hospital carts of 750–1,000 lb by driving under them. MiR’s Hook top module for the MiR250 doesn’t appear on MiR’s current lineup page; see our MiR robot comparison for its current models.
If you need to move pallets rather than cart trains, an autonomous forklift or pallet AMR fits better. Our AMR vs AGV guide explains how the route-following and free-navigating approaches differ.
What an autonomous tugger costs
No maker on this list publishes a dollar price. Two published data points exist:
- Cyngn’s EasyLaunch is one monthly payment per route covering the tugger, autonomy software, route mapping and deployment, training and remote monitoring. Cyngn hasn’t published the amount, and its company claim of a typical payback under two years comes from its Q4 2024 results release.
- A Vecna case study gives $9.73 per robot per hour for five ATG tuggers at a discount retailer. It doesn’t say what that figure includes or over how many years it was calculated, so treat it as one customer’s result.
When you budget, keep three layers apart: the vehicle, the start-up work (route mapping, cart and hitch hardware, charging points, and links to your WMS or MES), and the yearly cost of software, service and support. Our RaaS pricing guide shows how subscription contracts bundle those layers.
What to put in a tugger quote request
- Cart count and loaded weight per train, floor slope and surface, and the towing capacity the vendor guarantees under those conditions
- Hitch type on your carts (ball, pin or lunette) and whether automatic hitching and unhitching is included or an add-on
- Speed in automatic mode on your route, including turns, crossings and shared aisles
- Whether a person can drive it manually, and how mode switching works
- Safety standards the truck is certified to, who performs the site risk assessment, and who signs it
- Fleet software, traffic control with forklifts and other robots, and VDA 5050 support
- What the price includes in each layer (vehicle, deployment, software, service) and the contract term
Our AMR company comparison covers the wider mobile robot market.
Tuggers are one of several AGV types; our AGV types and prices guide covers the rest, from forklift AGVs to under-ride carriers.
Maker product pages and spec sheets checked October 24, 2026.