Filling earth into a vehicle using a cooperative fleet of vehicles

Abstract

This description provides an autonomous or semi-autonomous earth shaping vehicle that is capable of cooperatively filling earth into a fill location in a dig site. A first earth shaping vehicle configured with a hauling tool carrying a volume of earth navigates to the fill location. At the fill location, the first earth shaping vehicle navigates over a target tool path to fill earth from the hauling tool into the fill location. As the first earth shaping vehicle fills earth into the fill location, a measurement sensor coupled to the first earth shaping vehicle measures a compaction level of earth filled into the fill location. If the measured compaction level is determined to be below a threshold compaction level, the first earth shaping vehicle communicates a request for a second earth shaping vehicle configured with a compaction tool to compact earth in the fill location.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16 / 686,086, filed Nov. 15, 2019, now patent Ser. No. ______, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDField of Art[0002]The disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for moving earth in a dig site using an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, and more specifically to filling earth using multiple autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles operating cooperatively.Description of the Related Art[0003]Vehicles such as backhoes, loaders, and excavators, generally categorized as earth shaping vehicles, are used to move earth from locations in a dig site. Currently, operation of these earth shaping vehicles is very expensive as each vehicle requires a manual operator be available and present during operation. Further complicating the industry, there is an insufficient labor force skilled enough to meet the demand for operating these vehicles. Because these...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system for excavating a site using a fleet of vehicles. The system is controlled by a central control system that generates a target tool path for the vehicles and updates it to avoid collisions. The vehicles use GPS to navigate to their targets and maintain a safe distance from neighboring vehicles. The system reduces costs by automating the excavation process and improves overall efficiency and quality by carrying out consistent, repeatable actions in accordance with excavation plans.

Problems solved by technology

Currently, operation of these earth shaping vehicles is very expensive as each vehicle requires a manual operator be available and present during operation.

Further complicating the industry, there is an insufficient labor force skilled enough to meet the demand for operating these vehicles.

Because these vehicles must be operated manually, earth moving can only be performed during the day, extending the duration of earth moving tasks and further increasing overall costs.

The dependence of current earth shaping vehicles on manual operators increases the risk of human error during earth moving processes and reduce the quality of work done at the site.

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