AGV navigation: what are the possibilities?

Various technologies are available on the market for bringing an automated guided vehicle (AGV) to its destination.

Let us first of all say: many roads lead to Rome. There is no right way and no wrong way. Decisive is always the application itself - that means the question of where and how the given AGV is used.

There are different processes and technologies for navigating an AGV from point A to point B. The various possibilities range from contour navigation (natural navigation) to laser radar, optical or inductive guidance to grid navigation.
Which technology is used depends above all on the specific application.

The price of the AGV itself can also be used as a rough guideline. The costs for the navigation technology should not exceed 5% of the AGV price. For example: for a EUR 10,000 AGV, contour navigation and laser radar do not come into question as their cost lies above the threshold of 500 euro.

Another decisive criterion for one or the other variant is whether the given AGV is a drive-under vehicle or a platform vehicle. Drive-under vehicles are those that move under the load to be transported and lift it up. Their design makes them unsuitable for, e.g., laser radar, fundamentally excluding this process for such AGVs. Platform vehicles are those onto which the load is pushed and that transport their cargo on the vehicle.

Against this background, the individual navigation possibilities are considered in detail below with regard to their possible fields of application.

Contour navigation (natural navigation)
Contour navigation is also referred to as »natural navigation.» These are the most technically complex as well as the most expensive types of navigation systems. They are unmatched in terms of flexibility and accuracy. Should it be necessary to change the transportation path on short notice, this can be performed for contour navigation very easily and quickly at the click of a mouse in the higher-level software, the so-called fleet management. Because the sensor on the AGV is usually mounted close to the floor, this navigation variant is suitable for automatic high-lift trucks and tractors as well as for the drive-under or platform vehicles described above. For this type of navigation, neither further tools - such as reflectors or optical or magnetic traces - nor markings or codes are required.

Laser radar
Navigation by means of laser radar is similar in flexibility to contour navigation. This navigation variant does, however, always require an additional optical connection of the sensor to the reflectors. Each sensor must therefore be mounted high enough on the AGV that it always has a clear view of the reflectors.  If the connection to the reflectors is interrupted, e.g., when entering a shelf aisle, the AGV must switch to another type of navigation. This makes it more difficult to change to another room if necessary, limiting the flexibility.   

Optical and inductive guidance
Optical and inductive guidance are usually very simple systems that follow a predefined trace. As a result, they are very limited in terms of flexibility. On the other hand, however, they represent a very cost-optimized solution. Because the sensor on the AGV is mounted only a short distance from the floor, such a form of navigation is independent of the selected vehicle type.

Grid navigation
With the so-called grid navigation, information is embedded in a specified grid on or in the surface that is traveled, e.g., 2D-codes or transponders. With the help of the information ascertained while traveling over the individual grid points - with a 2D-code these are, e.g., the code information and reading angle - the AGV can navigate between the individual grid points and thereby reach any specified point within the grid. This type of navigation is suitable above all for clean surfaces and surfaces not subject to heavy loading.

A general evaluation and recommendation for the suitable navigation variant can only be determined in combination with the function of the AGV within the given application. At the present time, however, there is a clear trend towards contour navigation with integrated safety function.

About Leuze electronic
Leuze electronic is one of the world's innovation leaders in optical sensors and is internationally known as a leading manufacturer and solution provider in electrical automation. Its main focus is on the areas of intralogistics, packaging industry, machine tools and automotive industry as well as medical technology. The product range includes switching and measuring sensors, identification systems, solutions for image processing and data transmission and also occupational safety components and systems. Founded in 1963, the company, with headquarters in Owen (Germany), possesses specific application know-how as well as comprehensive industry knowledge. More than 1200 employees at 22 locations are involved in development, production, sales and service - supported by more than 40 sales partners around the world. Innovative product developments, tailor-made complete solutions and an extensive range of services stand for the "Smart Sensor Business 4.0" at Leuze electronic.