Core Empowerment of Industrial Computers in AGV Trolleys: Intelligent Breakthroughs in Navigation and Path Planning
In an intelligent warehousing center, 20 AGV trolleys shuttle among shelves at a speed of 2 m/s. Each trolley processes data from over 10 types of sensors, including LiDAR, visual sensors, and IMUs, in real time. It autonomously plans the optimal path in complex dynamic environments to accurately deliver goods to designated workstations. Behind this scenario, industrial computers endow AGV trolleys with full-link intelligent capabilities of "perception-decision-execution" through high-precision navigation algorithms, real-time path planning engines, and multi-sensor fusion technology. This article will deeply analyze how industrial computers support AGV trolleys in achieving efficient navigation and dynamic path planning from three dimensions: technical principles, hardware selection, and practical cases, and provide implementable mobile robot control solutions.

1. Technical Challenges of AGV Navigation and Path Planning: From "Fixed Tracks" to "Free Intelligence"
1.1 Navigation Accuracy: From "Centimeter-Level Error" to "Millimeter-Level Positioning"
Traditional AGVs rely on fixed navigation methods such as magnetic strips and QR codes, with positioning errors of up to ±5 cm. They are prone to collisions in narrow aisles (e.g., with shelf spacing < 1.5 m) or dynamic obstacle scenarios (e.g., personnel movement). Modern AGVs need to achieve millimeter-level positioning accuracy to support high-density storage and flexible production demands.
Breakthrough Solutions:
Multi-sensor Fusion: Combine data from LiDAR, visual SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), and IMUs, and achieve high-precision positioning through Kalman filtering or graph optimization algorithms (e.g., GTSAM). For example, a logistics AGV adopts a 16-line LiDAR + binocular vision solution, with a positioning error of < ±3 mm.
Edge Computing Empowerment: Industrial computers run SLAM algorithms locally and process sensor data in real time, reducing reliance on cloud computing. The USR-EG628 industrial computer launched by Shandong UROVO IoT, equipped with an RK3562J quad-core processor, can stably run open-source frameworks such as Cartographer and ORB-SLAM2, enabling real-time mapping and positioning in dynamic environments.
1.2 Path Planning: From "Static Pre-planning" to "Dynamic Re-planning"
Traditional AGV path planning is based on static maps and cannot cope with sudden obstacles (e.g., temporarily stacked goods) or dynamic targets (e.g., real-time position changes of other AGVs), leading to path conflicts or inefficiency. Modern AGVs need to have dynamic re-planning capabilities to generate collision-free optimal paths within 100 ms.
Breakthrough Solutions:
Hierarchical Planning Architecture: Divide path planning into global planning (generating rough paths based on A* and Dijkstra algorithms) and local planning (achieving dynamic obstacle avoidance based on DWA and TEB algorithms). The 1 TOPS AI computing power of the USR-EG628 can simultaneously run global and local planning algorithms, with a response time of < 50 ms.
Multi-AGV Collaborative Scheduling: Achieve multi-vehicle path conflict prediction and coordination through industrial computer clusters (e.g., UROVO's WukongEdge platform). For example, 30 AGVs in an automobile factory reduced the path conflict rate from 15% to 0.5% through a distributed computing architecture.
1.3 Real-time Performance: From "Post-processing Analysis" to "Front-end Intelligent Decision-making"
AGVs need to process sensor data (e.g., LiDAR point clouds, images) in real time during movement, update positioning information, re-plan paths, and control motor drive systems. Traditional solutions adopt a serial mode of "sensors-cloud-control end," with a delay of over 300 ms, which cannot meet the real-time control requirements of high-speed motion (> 1 m/s).
Breakthrough Solutions:
Edge Computing and Hardware Acceleration: Deploy lightweight algorithms (e.g., TensorFlow Lite models) locally on industrial computers and combine FPGA or GPU acceleration (the USR-EG628 has a built-in Mali-G52 GPU) to achieve millisecond-level responses in sensor data processing, positioning, planning, and control.
Real-time Operating System (RTOS): Adopt a preemptive scheduling kernel (e.g., FreeRTOS, RT-Thread) to ensure the priority execution of critical tasks (e.g., obstacle avoidance). The USR-EG628 supports dual-mode switching between the Ubuntu system and RTOS, balancing development convenience and real-time performance requirements.
2. Industrial Computer Hardware Selection: From "General-purpose Platform" to "AGV-specific Customization"
2.1 Core Processor: Balancing Performance, Power Consumption, and Cost
x86 Architecture: Suitable for scenarios requiring complex algorithms (e.g., 3D SLAM, deep learning), but with high power consumption (usually > 30 W), requiring an active cooling system. For example, Intel Core i5/i7 series processors can support multi-threaded SLAM computing but are relatively large and not suitable for compact AGVs.
ARM Architecture: With advantages of low power consumption (< 10 W) and high integration, it has become the mainstream choice for AGVs. The RK3562J chip used in the USR-EG628 has a 4-core 64-bit design and a power consumption of only 8 W. It can stably run frameworks such as ROS (Robot Operating System) and GMapping, meeting the navigation and planning needs of most AGVs.
2.2 Interface Expansion: From "Limited Connections" to "Full Sensor Access"
AGVs need to connect to multiple types of devices such as LiDAR, visual cameras, ultrasonic sensors, encoders, and IMUs, placing high demands on interface richness and compatibility.
Sensor Interfaces: Prioritize industrial computers that support multiple protocols (USB3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, CAN bus, RS485). The USR-EG628 provides 2 × USB3.0, 1 × Gigabit Ethernet port, and 1 × CAN bus interface, allowing flexible connection to devices such as 16-line LiDAR (e.g., Velodyne Puck) and industrial cameras (e.g., Basler dart series).
Control Interfaces: Connect motor drivers (e.g., stepper motors, servo motors) through PWM and GPIO interfaces or achieve collaborative control with PLCs through industrial protocols such as EtherCAT and Profinet.
2.3 Environmental Adaptability: From "Laboratory Environment" to "Industrial Site"
AGVs need to operate stably in complex environments, and industrial computers need to pass the following tests:
Vibration Test: Operate stably under a vibration intensity of 5G (compliant with IEC 60068-2-6 standard) to avoid hard drive damage or interface looseness due to mechanical vibration.
Protection Rating: IP65 dust and water resistance (the USR-EG628 meets the IP40 standard, suitable for indoor dry environments) or improve dust resistance through potting processes.
Wide Temperature Operation: Operate stably within a temperature range of -20°C to 70°C (the USR-EG628 has passed tests from -10°C to 60°C), adapting to cold chain logistics or high-temperature workshop scenarios.
3. Practical Cases: Performance Verification of the USR-EG628 in Three Scenarios
3.1 Intelligent Warehousing AGV: From "Fixed Shelves" to "Flexible Storage"
An e-commerce warehouse needs to achieve high-density storage and rapid sorting of goods. Traditional AGVs cannot operate in narrow aisles (1.2 m wide) due to insufficient positioning accuracy (±5 cm). After introducing the USR-EG628:
Hardware Configuration: 16-line LiDAR (USB3.0 interface) + binocular vision camera (GigE Vision interface) + USR-EG628 (RK3562J chip + 4 GB memory).
Performance: Through laser SLAM and visual fusion positioning, the error is < ±3 mm; using the TEB local planning algorithm, the dynamic obstacle avoidance response time is < 80 ms; the daily order processing capacity of a single AGV has increased from 200 to 500 orders.
Cost-benefit: The equipment investment payback period is only 10 months, and the annual labor cost savings are 1.8 million yuan.
3.2 Automobile Production Line AGV: From "Single-line Transportation" to "Multi-vehicle Collaboration"
An automobile final assembly line requires 10 AGVs to collaboratively transport vehicle body parts. The traditional solution adopts fixed paths and central scheduling, which is prone to full-line stagnation due to a single vehicle failure. After introducing the USR-EG628:
Hardware Configuration: 8 AGVs are each equipped with 1 USR-EG628 (with a built-in WukongEdge edge computing module), forming a distributed cluster through Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Performance: Using the A* global planning + DWA local planning algorithm, the multi-vehicle path conflict rate has decreased from 12% to 0.3%; when a single AGV fails, the system automatically re-plans the path, and the overall efficiency loss is < 5%.
Scalability: All AGV statuses can be remotely monitored through the UROVO cloud platform, with a fault response time of < 2 minutes.
3.3 Hospital Logistics AGV: From "Simple Transportation" to "Intelligent Interaction"
A tertiary hospital requires AGVs to transport drugs and test samples. The traditional solution only supports fixed-route transportation and cannot cope with dynamic obstacles (e.g., medical staff and patients). After introducing the USR-EG628:
Hardware Configuration: 3D LiDAR (360° scanning) + depth camera (for personnel recognition) + USR-EG628 (supporting ROS2 and voice interaction modules).
Performance: Through a deep learning model to recognize personnel dynamics and combined with the TEB algorithm, flexible obstacle avoidance is achieved; the voice interaction module supports natural language instructions such as "Go to the laboratory department on the 3rd floor," improving operational convenience by 70%.
Safety: Compliant with the ISO 13482 medical robot safety standard, it automatically stops and alerts in case of emergencies.
4. Customized Services: From "Standard Products" to "Scenario-based Solutions"
4.1 Hardware Customization: Matching Extreme Requirements
Explosion-proof Design: For petrochemical scenarios, adopt intrinsically safe circuit design and pass ATEX certification.
Fanless Cooling: For clean room environments, adopt a finned cooling structure with a noise level of < 25 dB.
Modular Expansion: Support PCIe slot expansion for GPU/FPGA acceleration cards or add 5G communication modules through M.2 interfaces for remote real-time control.
4.2 Software Customization: Lower Development Thresholds
Pre-installed Development Environment: Provide Ubuntu system + ROS/ROS2 framework + Python/C++ development packages to shorten deployment cycles.
Algorithm Library Optimization: Provide pre-trained models (e.g., personnel recognition, obstacle classification) for AGV scenarios, with an accuracy rate of > 95%.
Protocol Conversion Tools: Support over 100 industrial protocols such as Modbus, CANopen, and EtherCAT to achieve seamless integration with PLCs and WMS systems.
4.3 Submit Requirements to Obtain Exclusive Solutions
Does your enterprise face the following challenges?
Insufficient AGV navigation accuracy and frequent collisions?
Slow response to dynamic path planning and low efficiency?
Difficulties in multi-AGV collaborative scheduling and prone to deadlocks?
Long development cycles and high costs?
Take immediate action and submit your requirements:
Online Form: Fill in key parameters such as application scenarios (e.g., warehousing logistics, automobile manufacturing, medical delivery), number of AGVs, sensor types, and navigation methods (laser/visual/hybrid).
Free Consultation: Our engineering team will respond within 24 hours and provide:
Hardware selection suggestions (e.g., whether the USR-EG628 is suitable for your scenario).
Customized solutions (e.g., navigation algorithm optimization, multi-vehicle collaborative scheduling strategies).
Cost calculation tools (full lifecycle cost comparison models).
5. Industrial Computers: The "Intelligent Brain" of AGVs
From intelligent warehousing to automobile manufacturing, from medical delivery to port logistics, industrial computers are redefining the application boundaries of AGVs with their core capabilities of high-precision navigation, dynamic path planning, and multi-vehicle collaboration. The USR-EG628, as a new-generation edge computing platform, has become the preferred base for AGV intelligent upgrades due to its low power consumption, high integration, and strong expandability.
The future is here. Are you ready?
Submit your requirements to obtain an exclusive customized solution, let industrial computers inject an "intelligent brain" into your AGV system, and usher in a new era of mobile robots!