Ultra-wideband RFID based localization, obstacle detection and speed optimization for automatic guided vehicles

Significant progress in processor and antenna technology combined with an unprecedented growth rate of the RFID industry have led to the development of the Ultra Wide Band (UWB) RFID-based, Real Time Location System (RTLS). UWB RTLS, backed by its merits of accuracy and extended range, has emerged as a potential replacement for conventional localization methods used in Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS). UWB, unlike conventional methods, eliminates the need for line-of-sight beacons, discrete obstacle detection systems, and expensive localization hardware onboard each AGV. This thesis describes the design and development of a comprehensive solution to the localization, navigation, and obstacle detection functions of the AGVS. In the current research, to prove the viability of the concept, a prototype AGVS model was developed using UWB-RFID based RTLS for AGV localization. Additionally, a speed optimization algorithm was incorporated in the prototype to demonstrate the possibility of enhancing the AGVS' functionality using real-time location data. The development of an advanced prototype with sophisticated control and management algorithms may be an area for future research.