To solve the problem that the navigation accuracy of substation patrol car is not high and the current navigation rail construction is expensive, a method of navigation and positioning based on image recognition is proposed. The method is that, firstly, print the special pattern at a fixed distance on the inspection path. Then, the navigation camera fixed on the car collect the images vertically. The next step is using the image recognition technology outputs different flag of recognition results. Lastly, the controller adjusts the output parameters according to the flag to complete the substation patrol car automatic navigation and positioning. The results of simulation and experimental show that this method can complete the inspection and navigation.