Cloud Control Interface for Autonomous Agricultural Machinery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for remote control and monitoring of autonomous agricultural machinery are limited, requiring programming expertise and not providing full control over agricultural equipment, restricting mobility and access due to short-range wireless connections and lack of internet connectivity, and necessitating human operators to remain physically present.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based server system that allows users to configure, control, and monitor agricultural machinery from any location via internet connection, using a variety of devices, enabling complete oversight and control of speed, steering, and other settings through a graphical user interface, and allowing multiple machines to be coordinated and controlled simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If machine-to-machine communication systems are used for remote control, then some level of automation is achieved, but full control capability and operator mobility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that mediates between the autonomous vehicle and the operator's computing device. The server receives control inputs from the operator, processes them, and transmits appropriate commands to the autonomous vehicle, enabling full control capability while maintaining operator mobility and removing the need for physical presence in the vehicle cab.
2Device complexity
If short-range wireless connections are used, then device complexity is reduced, but operator mobility and accessibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the control system from a local, short-range wireless connection to a network-based architecture using internet connectivity. By adding the dimension of network communication, the system enables operators to control autonomous vehicles from any location with internet access, dramatically improving mobility while the server handles the complexity of network management.
3Ease of operation
If human operators remain physically present in the machine, then direct control is maintained, but safety hazards and operational inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the operator from the physical environment of the autonomous vehicle by enabling remote control through a computing device connected to the server. This separation removes operators from hazardous tasks such as applying pesticides or fertilizers while maintaining full control capability through the network-based control system.
4Extent of automation
If existing remote control systems are used, then some automation is achieved, but programming expertise is required and full control is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual replica of the autonomous vehicle's control interface on the operator's computing device through the server connection. This allows operators to interact with the vehicle as if they were physically present, providing full control capability without requiring programming expertise, as the interface is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of controlling agriculture equipment which combines geographical coordinates, machine settings, machine position, path plans, user input, and equipment parameters to generate executable commands based of a variety of different in-field agricultural operation objectives for a vehicle equipped with an automatic or electronically controlled locomotion systems capable of reading and executing the commands.