Method and apparatus for managing and controlling manned and automated utility vehicles

Abstract

A method and apparatus for managing manned and automated utility vehicles, and for picking up and delivering objects by automated vehicles. A machine vision image acquisition apparatus determines the position and the rotational orientation of vehicles in a predefined coordinate space by acquiring an image of one or more position markers and processing the acquired image to calculate the vehicle's position and rotational orientation based on processed image data. The position of the vehicle is determined in two dimensions. Rotational orientation (heading) is determined in the plane of motion. An improved method of position and rotational orientation is presented. Based upon the determined position and rotational orientation of the vehicles stored in a map of the coordinate space, a vehicle controller, implemented as part of a computer, controls the automated vehicles through motion and steering commands, and communicates with the manned vehicle operators by transmitting control messages to each operator.