AGV self-driving vehicles need appropriate guidance technology when used to keep them on the right path. The world's first AGV self-driving vehicle navigation technology used wires mounted on the floor space. Gradually, with the strong development of technology, many other navigation technologies have been born. Each way of self-driving vehicle navigation has its own characteristics. Let's find out with Intech Group in the article below!

1. AGV self-driving vehicle navigation by magnetic strip

This is the navigation method that people can see with the naked eye. The magnetic strip is pasted on the floor space, the AGV will recognize the signal to move in the right direction.

Similar methods to magnetic strips are navigation with colored tape, the AGV will be equipped with optical sensors with image recognition function to find the path. However, this type of guidance is like paint drawn on the floor. It is easily contaminated and damaged by many external factors. The accuracy in positioning is also not high, so it is less used today.

Advantages:

• AGV can accurately locate the position and move along the guiding path.

• It is easy to change the expansion path of the AGV by peeling and re-pasting the path.

• The investment cost of magnetic strips is quite reasonable and highly effective.

• Not affected by dirt or light.

Disadvantages:

• Prone to damage, requiring frequent replacement or maintenance.

• AGVs can only move along a fixed magnetic strip, cannot self-navigate, and will not avoid obstacles if they encounter them, but will only stop and wait for them to pass.

• To move AGVs to multiple locations, multiple magnetic strips are needed, causing complexity in route management.

Robot dò đường tránh vật cản

2. AGV navigation by QR code

The principle of AGV navigation by QR code is that the AGV is integrated with a camera or sensor to scan the QR code stuck on the floor. Information from the QR code will let the AGV know where it is. For AGV to move accurately, people often combine inertial navigation with QR code.
Advantages:

• Easy to set up the route for AGV

• Easy to change the map when changing location and production scale.

• QR code is not affected by external factors such as magnetic interference, light.

• Accurately locate the AGV with just a small code stuck on the floor.

Disadvantages:

• The QR code needs to be checked and replaced periodically to ensure accuracy.

• The location of the QR code requires a flat floor surface. The cost of this type of guidance is also relatively high.

Xe AGV được tích hợp cảm biến để quét mã QR được dán trên sàn

3. AGV vehicles are equipped with sensors to scan QR codes posted on the floor.

Laser reflection navigation is the use of reflective mirrors installed on the AGV's running track. The AGV will emit laser beams when moving, which are reflected back by the mirrors to determine the position to avoid in order to move in the right direction.

The reflector is mounted at fixed locations such as columns, shelves, walls, etc. Mounted at a height of about 50-60cm to easily receive signals from the navigation device mounted on the AGV. The maximum distance for the reflector to receive the most accurate signal is 30m. Suitable for complex, large-volume freight transport environments.

Advantages:

• Locating AGV self-propelled vehicles with high accuracy and complex algorithms.

• Flexible guidance path, not fixed like magnetic tape or magnetic strip.

• Can be applied in many different environmental conditions.

• Fast moving speed, up to 2m/s.

• Optimize costs when changing production space.

• It requires warranty and maintenance costs.

Disadvantages:

• The investment cost is relatively large.

• Requires an operating environment with sufficient lighting.

• Technical expertise is required when changing the AGV's path.

The vehicle uses reflective mirrors installed on the track.

4. AGV with natural navigation

This is a natural navigation method that does not require hardware installation such as wires, tapes or reflectors. Natural navigation uses a registered map using a camera or laser scanning to identify fixed locations such as columns, walls, and shelves. Then, the AGV self-driving vehicles locate themselves to determine the direction of travel.

Natural navigation is very flexible, does not require specific infrastructure, but is best applied in simple and fixed environments such as hospitals, warehouses, distribution centers, etc.

Advantages:

• Compared with traditional laser navigation, the investment cost for natural navigation is lower.

• Easy to install, just let the AGV identify the map of the workspace.

• Flexible in adjusting the AGV's path.

• No maintenance costs and space area.

Disadvantages:

• Accuracy can be affected by fixed equipment in the working environment, especially in places where people pass by, pallets, and goods are constantly moving.

• Requires a well-lit operating environment.

5. Use GPS to navigate AGV

GPS positioning of self-driving vehicles is no longer strange to some industries and some developed countries. You may remember the positioning devices of phones, cars, watches, etc. AGVs are also integrated with GPS but are less commonly used than other types of positioning. Because GPS has low navigation accuracy, the location radius is about 10m. Too large compared to the production space of factories, warehouses, etc.

6. Inertial navigation

This type of navigation is often used to integrate and complement other types of AGV navigation. Inertial navigation uses the internal sensors of the AGV to determine that it is operating.

AGVs are usually controlled by a computer system, receiving tasks by pulse signals from a transponder mounted on the floor. Combined with an optical encoder, the gyroscope detects the fastest change when the AGV deviates from its direction.

Inertial navigation can operate in most different environments, including narrow aisles or in high temperature conditions. The cost of inertial navigation is relatively low, with high positioning accuracy in a short time.

7. Combined navigation

Combined navigation is the use of 2 or more different navigation methods to navigate the AGV. With this combination, we will take advantage of the advantages and overcome the disadvantages to help AGV be guided accurately with extremely low deviation.

Synthetic navigation is to make AGV adapt to common navigation methods in different situations and they will be used more and more widely.

Above are some AGV self-driving vehicle navigation methods that Intech Group has compiled, hopefully the article brings useful information to readers. For any questions, please contact hotline 0983 113 387 - 0966 966 032 for advice and support 24/7.