Method and apparatus for using pre-positioned objects to localize an industrial vehicle

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of using dynamically placed pre-positioned objects as landmarks to operate an industrial vehicle is provided. The method comprises (i) transporting an object along a path within the physical environment and placing the object at a location within the physical environment such that the placed object becomes a dynamically placed pre-positioned object in the physical environment; (ii) updating a map of the physical environment by adding placed object data representing the dynamically placed pre-positioned object to the map of the physical environment to create updated map data such that the placed object, when added to the map, serves as a landmark with observable features and can be used in the navigation of an industrial vehicle with access to the updated map data; (iii) storing the updated map data on a mobile computer attached to the industrial vehicle or on a central computer coupled to the industrial vehicle via a network; and (iv) operating the industrial vehicle based on a navigational position determined from sensor data and the updated map data by navigating the industrial vehicle along a path within the physical environment.