A novel automated guided vehicle for guidance applications

In recent years, as a result of the significant development of information and communications technology, people have been paying much attention to automated guided vehicles (AGVs). In the ongoing global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hospital services have been seriously impacted. In the severe medical situation in hospitals, there is a serious shortage of human resources. This paper presents a novel automated guided vehicle (AGV) for guidance and service. The AGV is comprised of a microcontroller unit (MCU), a power unit, a human sensing unit, a collision warning unit, and a path sensing unit. The motion speed of the AGV and the distance between the AGV and the person being guided are determined by the MCU, the power unit, sensors, and an algorithm. The collision warning unit comprises three ultrasonic sensors and an infrared sensor in the front of the AGV in order to avoid obstacles. The trajectory results of the planned and actual paths are in good agreement. The AGV provides safe and effective guidance for people moving towards their destination. The AGV achieves excellent guidance results and shows great potential for guidance applications in hospitals.