Cloud Control of Autonomous Farm Machinery Across Any Device
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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 users to specific devices and locations, and lacking internet connectivity, which hinders efficient operation and safety.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based server system that allows users to configure, control, and monitor agricultural machinery from any internet-connected device, enabling remote operation of speed, steering, and other settings through a user-friendly interface, using APIs to send and receive data, and defining geographical areas and operation protocols, facilitating complete oversight and control of unmanned systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If machine-to-machine communication systems are used for remote control, then connectivity is established, but full control capability and device accessibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal communication architecture based on internet protocols that enables any internet-connected device (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.) to access and control agricultural machinery from any location globally, rather than being restricted to specific proprietary devices or locations. The cloud-based platform serves multiple functions including monitoring, control, and configuration through a single unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud-based server as an intermediary between the user's device and the agricultural machinery. This mediator receives control commands from any internet-connected device, processes them through application program interfaces (APIs), and transmits them to the machinery's controller, enabling universal access while maintaining system integrity and control capability.
2Reliability
If operators remain in the machine cab for direct control, then full control and monitoring are available, but operational efficiency and safety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The agricultural machinery is equipped with autonomous capabilities including self-navigation, self-monitoring through onboard sensors, and self-execution of farming operations based on pre-programmed parameters. The machine can operate independently without continuous human intervention, allowing operators to remotely monitor multiple machines simultaneously while maintaining full control capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback loops where onboard sensors continuously monitor machine status, position, and operational parameters, transmitting this data through the communication system to the operator's device. The operator receives immediate feedback about machine performance and can intervene remotely if corrections are needed, maintaining safety while improving productivity.
3Extent of automation
If specialized control systems are implemented for autonomous machinery, then full autonomy is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a universal communication infrastructure based on standard internet protocols and web technologies to achieve autonomous machine control, avoiding the need for proprietary or specialized communication hardware. The cloud-based platform handles complex processing tasks, allowing the machinery itself to have simpler onboard electronics while maintaining high-level autonomous capabilities through the networked system.
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 agriculture operation objectives for a vehicle equipped with an automatic or electronically controlled locomotion system capable of reading and executing the commands.