Electromagnetic navigation, magnetic tape navigation, visual navigation, laser navigation - an article on the development of AGV industry

1. Electromagnetic
navigation Principle of electromagnetic navigation: Electromagnetic navigation is one of the more traditional navigation methods and is still used by many systems. It involves burying metal wires on the AGV's driving path and loading the guidance frequency on the metal wires. The AGV's navigation is achieved by identifying the guidance frequency.
Advantages of electromagnetic navigation: The guidance wires are concealed, not easy to be polluted or damaged, the guidance principle is simple and reliable, easy to control communication, no interference with sound and light, and the investment cost is much lower than that of laser navigation;
Disadvantages of electromagnetic navigation: It is troublesome to change or expand the path, and it is relatively difficult to lay the guidance wires.
2. Magnetic tape
navigation Principle of magnetic tape navigation: Magnetic tape navigation technology is similar to electromagnetic navigation. The difference is that magnetic tape is pasted on the road surface instead of burying metal wires under the ground, and guidance is achieved by magnetic tape sensing signals.
Advantages of tape navigation: AGV positioning is accurate, tape navigation is more flexible, it is easier to change or expand the path, tape laying is relatively simple, the guiding principle is simple and reliable, it is easy to control communication, there is no interference with sound and light, and the investment cost is much lower than laser navigation;
Disadvantages of tape navigation: The tape needs maintenance, and the damaged tape must be replaced in time, but the tape replacement is simple and convenient, and the cost is low.
3. Visual
navigation Principle of visual navigation: Visual navigation is to paint the AGV's driving path with paint that has a large color contrast with the ground or paste a color ribbon with a large color contrast. A camera sensor is installed on the AGV to compare the continuously captured pictures with the stored pictures, and the offset signal is output to the drive control system. The control system corrects the walking direction of the AGV through calculation to realize the navigation of the AGV.
Advantages of visual navigation: AGV positioning is accurate, visual navigation is more flexible, it is easier to change or expand the path, the path laying is relatively simple, the guiding principle is also simple and reliable, easy to control communication, no interference with sound and light, the investment cost is also much lower than laser navigation, but slightly more expensive than tape navigation;
Disadvantages of visual navigation: The path also needs maintenance, but the maintenance is also simpler and more convenient, and the cost is also lower.
4. Laser
navigation Principle of laser navigation: Laser navigation is to install precisely positioned reflectors around the AGV driving path. The AGV determines its current position and direction by emitting laser beams and collecting laser beams reflected by the reflectors.
Calculation of the initial position of the AGV - the AGV trolley stops; the laser scanner can measure at least 4 beams, that is, at least "see" 4 reflectors; the precise positions (X, Y) of all reflectors are known; Continuous position calculation of the AGV -
estimate the current position of the trolley according to the motion model, associate the reflectors according to the estimated new position, correct its own position according to the associated reflectors, and correct the next action of the AGV accordingly.
Advantages of laser navigation: AGV positioning is accurate, and no other positioning facilities are required on the ground; the driving path can be flexibly changed;
Disadvantages of laser navigation: Due to the complex control and expensive investment cost of laser technology, there must be no obstacles between the reflector and the AGV laser sensor, and it is not suitable for occasions where logistics are affected in the air.
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