Ad Hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) is a routing protocol used in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). It enables devices to discover routes to other devices on-the-fly, meaning routes are established only when needed. AODV minimizes the overhead of maintaining routes by using a request-response mechanism, where a device sends a route request and waits for a route reply from the destination. AODV operates by maintaining a routing table that includes the next hop for each destination. It uses sequence numbers to ensure the freshness of routes, preventing outdated information from being used. This protocol is particularly useful in dynamic environments where devices frequently join or leave the network.