Bipolar magnetic positioning system for automated guided vehicles

This paper presents the simulation and prototype of a bipolar magnet positioning system for automated guided vehicles (AGV). The positioning system consists on small cylindrical magnets placed in the floor making the path for the AGV. Magnetic sensors onboard of the AGV receive binary codes from the designed magnet array to recognize its position and make decisions on what path to follow in an intersection. Furthermore, the possibility of assembling the bipolar magnetic positioning system for AGVs with low price components, and the capabilities of such a technology by implementing it on real mini-AGVs in a laboratory environment is presented.