Hangcha Group has launched the "Visual-Slam" navigation system for its A-Series automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Traditional AGVs rely on magnetic strips on the floor or laser reflectors on the walls. These require expensive infrastructure changes and are sensitive to dust or damage. The Visual-Slam system uses two wide-angle cameras mounted on the fork carriage and a high-performance industrial PC.
The system utilizes "Simultaneous Localization and Mapping" (SLAM) technology. As the forklift moves, it captures images of the warehouse environment (racks, pillars, floor texture). The computer extracts "Feature Points" (corners, edges) and builds a 3D map in real-time. The forklift compares this live map with a stored reference map to determine its position with an accuracy of ±5mm.
The key engineering advantage is the "Dynamic Path Planning." If the system detects a temporary obstacle (like a dropped box or a person walking), it doesn't just stop. It calculates a new route around the obstacle, similar to a human driver. The system also features a "Fork Alignment Assist." When approaching a pallet rack, the cameras detect the pallet entry slots. The system automatically adjusts the fork carriage to be perfectly centered and aligned, eliminating the risk of damaging the pallet or racking. This "infrastructure-free" navigation allows warehouses to automate their logistics without shutting down operations for installation, significantly lowering the barrier to automation.
