AGV Navigation Using Virtual Routes Without Physical Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) require physical markers, which incur costs and manpower for deployment, and are not effective in environments without physical lines or indicators.
Innovation Solution
A navigation method and system that uses a network of stations with processors, controllers, and sensor systems to guide AGVs without relying solely on physical markers, utilizing identity tags, cameras, and obstacle detectors to define and adjust paths within a geographic area, allowing AGVs to navigate using virtual paths and reference units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical markers are deployed to guide automated guided vehicles, then navigation reliability is improved, but deployment cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical deployment of physical markers (magnetic tapes, color tapes, paint strips) with an optical/electronic system using cameras and image processing. The navigation system captures images of the environment, identifies natural features or virtual markers through image analysis, and converts them into navigation paths, eliminating the need for physical marker deployment while maintaining navigation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical markers that require deployment, the system creates virtual copies or representations of navigation paths through image processing. The camera captures visual information of the environment, and the processor generates digital path representations that can be used for navigation without any physical intervention in the environment.
2Measurement precision
If physical markers are deployed to guide automated guided vehicles, then navigation accuracy is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes physical marker materials with an optical sensing and image processing system. The camera and processor combination analyzes visual features in the environment to determine navigation paths, achieving navigation accuracy without consuming any physical marker materials. This eliminates costs associated with magnetic tapes, color tapes, paint, and reflecting materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the environment's existing visual features or naturally present structures as navigation references. Instead of requiring external physical markers to be installed, the navigation system extracts and utilizes visual information already present in the environment, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating material costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If physical markers are deployed to guide automated guided vehicles, then path definition capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual physical marker deployment with automated image capture and processing. The camera system automatically captures the environment, and the processor automatically identifies features and generates navigation paths without human intervention. This dramatically improves ease of operation while maintaining the ability to define precise paths through image analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation method includes deploying a plurality of stations about a geographic area, providing the automated guided vehicle in the geographic area, transforming a position of each of the stations into a coordinate in a map, receiving a task command by the automated guided vehicle that includes an end station from one of the plurality of stations to be reached, retrieving a path parameter, identifying a start station as the closest station to the automated guided vehicle, calculating a traveling route connecting the stations by the processor of the automated guided vehicle in an order from the start station to the end station, and determining whether a physically marked line has been detected. If not, controlling the automated guided vehicle to travel along the traveling route and along moving path from one of the stations to one another of the stations with reference to the path parameters.