title: Investigation of Matlab® as platform in navigation and control of an Automatic Guided Vehicle utilising an omnivision sensor.
abstract: Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are navigated utilising multiple types of sensors for detecting the environment. In this investigation such sensors are replaced and/or minimized by the use of a single omnidirectional camera picture stream. An area of interest is extracted, and by using image processing the vehicle is navigated on a set path. Reconfigurability is added to the route layout by signs incorporated in the navigation process. The result is the possible manipulation of a number of AGVs, each on its own designated colour-signed path. This route is reconfigurable by the operator with no programming alteration or intervention. A low resolution camera and a Matlab® software development platform are utilised. The use of Matlab® lends itself to speedy evaluation and implementation of image processing options on the AGV, but its functioning in such an environment needs to be assessed.
authors.affiliation: Department Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Central University of Technology, Free State, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. bkotze@cut.ac.za.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kotze
authors.affiliation: Technology and Innovation, Central University of Technology, Free State, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. gjordaan@cut.ac.za.
authors.forename: Gerrit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jordaan