I am currently busy with a project which requires me to construct a robot capable of cleaning a heliostat (movable mirror used to redirect sunlight). Heliostats are basically large flat mirrors that track and reflect the sun. In order to be cleaned, the heliostats would be stowed in a horizontal position so that the robot may drive over its surface.
My question is then how or what sensors would i use to localize the robot on the mirror. From what i have seen many robotic sensors are unable to effectively detect glass, which seems to be a problem as the systems only real reference is the mirror. I am considering using a type of cliff sensor similar to the ones on robotic vacuum cleaners, but how would i localize the robot when its in the middle region of the mirror? Will the cliff sensors and wheel odometers be enough to fully localize this robot or not? i.e. What sensors would work?
I have attached both a basic image of the robot as well as an image of a typical heliostat the robot will need to clean. Mirror sizes may vary but this size is roughly 1m x 2m Please let me know if i must provide more information to clarify the question.