Automatic conveying device, method for determining the presence of external objects, and automatic start method

An automatic conveying device, comprising:

• a first end and a second end opposite to each other;
• and
• a middle section between the first end and the second end;
• wherein, the automatic conveying device further comprises one or more first detection devices arranged on one or both sides of the automatic conveying device, where each first detection device has a detection range that is substantially a plane area, and the detection range of each first detection device covers at least a portion of the middle section;
• and
• a processor connected to the one or more first detection devices, and configured to determine, based at least partially on signals detected by the one or more first detection devices, whether an external object is present on the automatic conveying device;
• the processor is configured to determine, upon receiving a start-up command, whether an external object is present on standing positions of the automatic conveying device, where if no external object is present on the standing positions of the automatic conveying device, the automatic conveying device is started, and if an external object is present on the standing positions of the automatic conveying device, the automatic conveying device is not started.