Position reference systems comprised of software, hardware, cameras, lasers, radio-frequency identification (RFID) apparatus, sensors for determining positions and beacons for use in directing the motion, stopping and loading points for autonomous robotic vehicles, such as those used in warehouses, so that they may navigate around shelving and racking and other objects, collect specific goods from specific shelves or places, load them into a temporary container or storage device and deposit them at a defined point for onward distribution; satellite-aided navigation systems; location tracking systems comprised of software, hardware, cameras, lasers, radio-frequency identification (RFID) apparatus, sensors for determining positions and beacons for use in directing the motion, stopping and loading points for autonomous robotic vehicles, such as those used in warehouses, so that they may navigate around shelving and racking and other objects, collect specific goods from specific shelves or places, load them into a temporary container or storage device and deposit them at a defined point for onward distribution for use in tracking autonomous robotic vehicles within environments such as warehouses and storage areas; position reference systems, navigation systems and location tracking systems comprised of laser, vision, magnetic, electromagnetic and RFID (radio frequency identification) based position reference sensors for use with vehicles; position reference systems, navigation systems and location tracking systems incorporating laser, vision, magnetic, electromagnetic and RFID (radio frequency identification) based position reference sensors, reference targets or natural feature recognition, computer hardware and computer software for use in receiving and analyzing digital data; laser, vision, magnetic, electromagnetic and RFID (radio frequency identification) based position reference sensors for use with control applications; collision avoidance systems comprised of sensors for determining positions and distance; collision avoidance systems comprised of laser, vision, magnetic, electromagnetic and RFID (radio frequency identification) based position reference sensors; collision avoidance systems comprised of laser, vision, magnetic, electromagnetic and RFID (radio frequency identification) based position reference sensors, reference targets or natural feature recognition, computer hardware and computer software for collecting and analyzing digital data; proximity sensors for automated guide vehicles; software for mapping the environment of automated guide vehicles; software for creating digital maps for use by automated guide vehicles; structural parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods