AMR, AGV & Intralogistics Automation worked example

Intralogistics Automation Payback Calculator with total intralogistics automation investment of 3,125,000 $: a worked example

What does the result look like when total intralogistics automation investment reaches 3,125,000 $? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. a plant, warehouse, or finance team needs a high-level payback estimate for an automation project

The inputs for this scenario

  • Total intralogistics automation investment: 3,125,000 $ (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 1,250,000)
  • Annual operating savings: 410,000 $ / yr (unchanged)
  • Annual software, service, and maintenance cost: 95,000 $ / yr (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Net annual automation savings = annual operating savings - annual software, service, and maintenance cost) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 9.92 yr for intralogistics automation payback period, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 315,000 $ / yr for net annual automation savings.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3,125,000 $ for total intralogistics automation investment.
  • At this operating point the engine returns -1,550,000 $ for five-year automation net value.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where total intralogistics automation investment sits at 1,250,000 $ and the headline result is 3.97 yr, this scenario comes in 150% above the baseline at 9.92 yr.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when total intralogistics automation investment is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. It is simple payback: it ignores discounting, phased deployment, demand growth, and end-of-life refresh, so large multi-year systems still need an NPV analysis for final approval.

Results at a glance

  • Intralogistics automation payback period: 9.92 yr (headline result)
  • Net annual automation savings: 315,000 $ / yr
  • Total intralogistics automation investment: 3,125,000 $
  • Five-year automation net value: -1,550,000 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Intralogistics Automation Payback Calculator calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.