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LiDAR, Visual Sensors, and Ultrasonic Sensors Form the Triple "Eyes" of AGVs
Release time:
2025-11-12
Have you ever seen AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) moving freely in factories or warehouses, and nimbly avoiding obstacles when they encounter them? They look just like seasoned drivers—even if a forklift suddenly passes by or a shelf collapses ahead, they can steer around steadily without panicking at all. But here comes the question: How exactly do AGVs achieve this? Do they really "see the path," or are they just following a pre-programmed route? And if you stand in front of them, will they crash into you directly?
The reason AGV trolleys do not collide randomly like headless flies lies in a complete set of perception systems plus algorithmic support. Simply put, they have a pair of "eyes" (various sensors), a "computing brain" (algorithms), and a set of "muscle memory" (path planning). There are mainly the following methods for AGVs to perceive the environment—and in most cases, factories do not use just one of them, but a combination of multiple methods to ensure absolute safety.
I. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): 360° Scanning for All-Round PerceptionLiDAR is the most commonly used "eye" of AGVs. It detects the surrounding environment by emitting laser beams, and then calculates the position and distance of obstacles based on the time it takes for the laser to bounce back.
Advantages: It can map the environment in real time, making it suitable for dynamic and complex industrial environments; it has high accuracy in obstacle recognition and fast response speed, which is applicable to AGVs moving at high speeds.
Disadvantages: It may misjudge when encountering transparent glass or reflective metal surfaces, leading to navigation abnormalities; the equipment cost is relatively high, and the requirements for deployment and maintenance are also high.
II. Visual Sensors (Cameras): Equipping AGVs with "Eyes"Cameras serve as another pair of "eyes" for AGVs. They can recognize colors and shapes, and even read QR codes and ground markers, assisting in positioning and obstacle avoidance.
Advantages: It has strong adaptability and can work in environments without fixed paths; it can detect objects that are difficult for LiDAR to recognize, such as glass and obstacles with similar colors.
Disadvantages: It is greatly affected by lighting conditions—strong light or shadows may lead to recognition errors; it requires powerful computing capabilities for real-time image processing.
III. Ultrasonic Sensors: "Insurance" for Short-Range Collision PreventionUltrasonic sensors are mainly used to detect obstacles in front of AGVs, similar to the reverse parking sensors in cars.
Advantages: Low cost, suitable for short-range obstacle avoidance (within a range of 1-2 meters); capable of recognizing non-reflective objects, making up for LiDAR’s shortcomings.
Disadvantages: Limited detection range, unable to accurately perceive distant objects; incapable of precise distance measurement and prone to environmental interference.
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