Experimental results on position and path control of an automated guided vehicle using fixed camera at ceiling and color markers

This article presents the results of experiments on path planning and control of automated guided vehicles (AGV) using single, fixed ceiling mounted, monocular cameras and colored markers. The camera employed in the system serves as both a sensor and controller. Initially, the working environment is structured using colored markers for given applications. For every new setup, structuring the environment is essential. The image processing algorithm identifies the colored markers and their positions, which are then utilized for path planning and segmentation. The actuation time required to transverse each segment is calculated and then AGV is actuated accordingly. A transformation or inverse mapping matrix (M), predetermined, is employed for calculating world coordinates from given image coordinates. Path planning and AGV control are across various paths, both with and without static obstacles, in real-time applications. The colored marker detection and recognition accuracy for the given setup have been found cent percentage while the AGV reaches the goal point with an error margin of around 3.9% on straight paths, both with and without obstacles.