Autonomous Pile Driving Vehicle for Map-Guided Pile Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pile driving operations using heavy equipment vehicles are costly due to the need for manual operators, labor shortages, and increased risk of human error, limiting work hours to daytime and reducing operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous off-road vehicle (AOV) system that autonomously navigates, loads, and drives piles into the ground based on a pile plan map, performs obstacle mapping, and conducts quality control, reducing the need for manual labor and minimizing human error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operators are used to operate heavy equipment vehicles, then the vehicles can be controlled with current technology, but the operation costs increase and labor shortages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy equipment vehicle performs pile driving operations autonomously without human intervention. The system uses onboard sensors, processors, and actuators to automatically navigate, position, and drive piles into the ground, eliminating the need for manual operators and reducing labor costs while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical control system operated by humans with an automated control system using sensors, processors, and computer vision algorithms. The system captures images, processes them to identify pile locations, and automatically controls vehicle movements and pile driving operations through electronic control mechanisms
2Reliability
If manual operators are required during the entire earthwork operation, then the vehicle can be operated safely, but the duration of projects extends and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle autonomously performs the entire pile driving operation from navigation to pile installation without requiring continuous human presence. The automated system monitors its own position, identifies obstacles, and executes pile driving tasks, significantly reducing project duration while maintaining safety through consistent automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous system enables continuous operation without breaks for operator shifts, meals, or fatigue-related stops. The vehicle can operate continuously through night and day, maximizing productive time and reducing overall project duration while maintaining consistent operational safety standards
3Device complexity
If dependence on manual operators is maintained, then current vehicle systems can be used, but the risk of human error increases and work quality reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human-operated mechanical control with automated electronic control systems. Sensors capture environmental data, processors analyze the information using computer vision algorithms, and actuators execute commands automatically, eliminating human error while improving work quality through precise, consistent automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous system continuously monitors its environment using sensors and cameras, processes the feedback information to identify pile locations and obstacles, and automatically adjusts its operations in real-time. This closed-loop feedback system ensures high precision and consistency, reducing errors and improving work quality compared to manual operation
Data Source
AI summary
A autonomous off-road vehicle (AOV) accesses a pile plan map indicating a plurality of locations in a geographic area at which piles are to be installed. The AOV selects a first location and a second location from the plurality of locations using the pile plan map. The AOV autonomously navigates to the first location. The AOV autonomously loads a first pile onto a driving tool of the AOV. The AOV autonomously drives the first pile into the ground at the first location using the driving tool. The AOV autonomously navigates to the second location, the AOV autonomously loads a second pile onto the driving tool. And the AOV autonomously drives the second pile into the ground at the second location using the driving tool.