Laser Guidance
The predominant method for navigation used by AGVE is laser measurement. AGVE offers full support and developmental tools for various components and guidance methods. As the main component for navigation, AGVE uses commercially available scanners from SICK (Guidance Ltd and Kollmorgen scanners also supported).
Two different methods of navigation are supported:
- Reflector Navigation using targets mounted on strategic positions throughout the layout.
- Contour Navigation using raw data from distance measurements.
Reflector Navigation
This is the standard navigation method, using cylindrical or flat reflectors mounted on walls, column or posts. Data from the position survey is stored in the scanner before the run. The vehicle position is then determined by calculations within the scanner. AGVE prefers to use the SICK NAV350 scanner and in-house built cylindrical reflectors.
Contour Navigation
This navigation method uses raw distance measurement of the environment. It is suited for applications where the surroundings are non-changing (e.g. corridors with clear, visible walls) and the surrounding objects make only small movements (e.g. people or manual trucks). AGVE uses SICK proximity scanners (e.g. S300) for recognizing surroundings and thereby guiding the vehicle along the layout.