The research is aimed at investigating the use of pattem recognition techniques to detennine the location ofa number
of mobiles within a large operational area. The paper examines current techniques for tracking the position of
mobiles and discusses their advantages and limitations. These include DGPS, Inertial sensors, RADAR, Laser
Ranging systems and 2-D infrared systems. The project is initially focused on tracking the location of container
carrying vehicles with sub-meter accuracy over large areas typically in excess of 30 Hectares. The main feature of
the concept is that it does not rely on vehicle-mounted active (powered) components. Tracking is achieved purely by
recognising coded patterns (Le. fiducial markers attached to each vehicle) in video images. An additional significant
outcome of the research is that it will enable the position of a large number of mobiles to be dotennined
simultaneously and at short time intervals. The paper presents the outcomes of the initial stages of the research and
identifies the parameters critical to the performance of the system. Potentially the research may find applications in
fields such as mining, manufacturing and distribution, where the position of moving objects needs to be remotely
tracked non-intrusively.