A tracking system of the present invention includes a transponder 20
attached on a moving object 2 and an autonomous mobile unit 1 for
tracking the transponder 20. The autonomous mobile unit 1 has an
environment detecting means for acquiring reflection environment
information relating to a wall surface 6a, 6b and 6c existing in the
vicinity. In this system, the following tracking cycle is executed. The
autonomous mobile unit 1 transmits a first ultrasonic wave, and upon
receipt of it, the transponder 20 transmits a second ultrasonic wave. By
receiving the second ultrasonic wave, the autonomous mobile unit 1
acquires reception information relating to a direct wave that directly
arrives at the autonomous mobile unit 1 from the transponder 20 and a
reflected wave that arrives via the wall surface. Using the reception
information and the reflection environment information, the autonomous
mobile unit 1 decides whether the received second ultrasonic wave is the
direct wave or the reflected wave and processes the reception information
based on the decision to estimate and track the position of the
transponder 20.