Abstract: AGV path planning plays an important role in improving the efficiency of material handling. With the development of technology and the gradual expansion of the application scope of AGV, the problem of path planning has attracted the attention of scholars. This paper analyzes Chinese and foreign literatures based on CNKI and WOS by using the method of literature statistical analysis and visualization tool CiteSpace software. First, the research hotspots are obtained by keyword frequency and centralized sorting. The Chinese literature research hotspots include path planning algorithm, AGV scheduling, time window and laser navigation. The foreign literature research hotspots include flexible manufacturing system, material handling system, layout, AGV system and algorithm. Secondly, the hotspots are reviewed one by one. Then the Chinese and foreign literatures are compared and the similarities and differences of the Chinese and foreign literatures are analysed. Finally, the research of AGV path planning is prospected, and the future research will focus on the following aspects: combinatorial optimization of algorithms, targeted modeling of application scenarios and collaborative research on related issues.

Key words: AGV, path planning, CiteSpace, visualized analysis