Aerial Work Area Mapping for Boundary-Free Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the work area of autonomous traveling work vehicles require the installation of border reporting means such as fences or wireless arrangements, which are costly and troublesome to set up, limiting the vehicles' operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A work area determination system that uses a drone or stick member equipped with a camera and slope sensor to capture photographic images from overhead, allowing for map generation without pre-installed border reporting means, and enabling the autonomous vehicle to determine its work area accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If border reporting means (fence, wireless arrangement, light) is installed in advance, then the autonomous traveling work vehicle can recognize the work area boundaries, but the installation becomes troublesome and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the boundary recognition function from physical border reporting means (fences, wireless arrangements, lights) and implements it through image processing of overhead photographs. The work area boundaries are determined by processing images captured from above the field, eliminating the need for installing physical boundary markers while maintaining accurate work area recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical border reporting means, the patent creates a digital copy or representation of the work area boundaries through image processing. Overhead photographs are processed to generate boundary information, replacing physical installations with digital data that can be easily stored and referenced by the autonomous vehicle.
2Extent of automation
If border reporting means is installed in advance, then the autonomous traveling work vehicle can operate autonomously, but the introduction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for installing border reporting means as a prerequisite for autonomous operation. By using overhead photograph processing, the system achieves autonomous work capability without the additional cost of installing fences, wireless arrangements, or lights, thereby reducing the overall introduction cost while maintaining full automation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If border reporting means is installed, then the work area can be defined, but the system cannot adapt to fields without pre-installed boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead photograph processing system serves multiple functions: it defines work area boundaries, provides a bird's-eye view of the field, and can identify features within the field. This single imaging system replaces multiple specialized components (fences for boundaries, separate sensors for field features), enhancing adaptability across different field conditions without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A work area determination system for an autonomous traveling work vehicle (1) includes a photographing device for photographing a predetermined area including a work area (110) and acquiring a photographic image thereof, a positioning device for obtaining position information indicative of a position at which the photographic image has been acquired, a map generation section for generating a map based on the photographic image and the position information, a displaying section for displaying the map, and a work area determination section for determining the work area in which the autonomous traveling work vehicle is to work, based on an area designation for the map displayed in the displaying section.