As sensor technology, intelligent technology, and computational technology continue to advance, intelligent mobile robots are sure to play a human-like role in production and daily life. What are the main aspects of positioning technology for AGV mobile robots?
Ultrasonic Navigation and Positioning Technology
The working principle of ultrasonic navigation and positioning is similar to that of laser and infrared. Typically, it involves the emission of ultrasonic waves by the transmitting probe of an ultrasonic sensor, which then bounce back to the receiving device upon encountering obstacles in the medium.
By receiving the reflected ultrasonic signals emitted by itself, the distance of propagation, S, can be calculated based on the time difference between the emission and reception of the ultrasonic waves and the speed of propagation. This allows for determining the distance from the obstacle to the robot, using the formula: S = Tv/2, where T is the time difference between the emission and reception of the ultrasonic waves, and v is the wave speed of the ultrasonic waves in the medium.
Ultrasonic sensors, with their low cost, rapid data collection rates, and high distance resolution, have been widely applied in mobile robot navigation and positioning for a long time. Moreover, they do not require complex image processing technology to gather environmental information, resulting in fast distance measurement and good real-time performance.
2. Visual Navigation and Positioning Technology
In visual navigation and positioning systems, the most widely used method domestically and internationally is the installation of on-board cameras in robots based on local vision. In this navigation approach, control equipment and sensing devices are mounted on the robot's body, with image recognition, path planning, and other high-level decision-making tasks all being handled by the on-board control computer.
The working principle of the visual navigation positioning system can be simply explained as processing the environment around the robot optically. First, it uses a camera to collect image information, compresses the collected data, and then feeds it into a learning subsystem composed of neural networks and statistical methods. The learning subsystem then associates the collected image data with the robot's actual position, completing the autonomous navigation and positioning functionality of the robot.
3. GPS Global Positioning System
Currently, in the application of navigation and positioning technology for intelligent robots, the pseudo-range differential dynamic positioning method is generally used. By observing four GPS satellites with a base receiver and a dynamic receiver together, and applying certain algorithms, the three-dimensional position coordinates of the robot at a specific moment can be determined. Differential dynamic positioning eliminates satellite clock errors, and for users 1,000 km away from the base station, it can also eliminate errors caused by the troposphere, thereby significantly improving the accuracy of dynamic positioning.
4. Light Reflection Navigation and Positioning Technology
Typical light reflection navigation and positioning methods primarily utilize laser or infrared sensors for distance measurement. Both laser and infrared technologies employ light reflection techniques for navigation and positioning.
The Laser Global Positioning System typically consists of components such as a laser emitter, rotating mechanism, mirrors, photoelectric receiver, and data collection and transmission devices. Although infrared sensor positioning also boasts high sensitivity, simple structure, and low cost, it is often used as a proximity sensor in mobile robots due to its high angular resolution and low range resolution. This is beneficial for detecting nearby or sudden motion obstacles, facilitating emergency obstacle stopping for the robot.
5. The predominant robot positioning technology currently is SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping).
Industry-leading service robot companies mostly adopt SLAM technology. Only (SLAMTEC) Slantrange Technology has a dominant edge in SLAM technology. So, what exactly is SLAM technology? Simply put, SLAM technology refers to the entire process of positioning, mapping, and path planning performed by robots in unknown environments.
SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), since its introduction in 1988, has primarily been applied in the study of intelligent movement for robots. Equipped with core sensors like LiDAR in unknown indoor environments, SLAM technology aids robots in constructing maps of indoor spaces, facilitating their autonomous navigation.
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