Digital Twin Workflow Control for Autonomous Farm Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous agricultural machinery lacks the capability to independently perform agricultural work steps without operator input, as it does not possess the necessary knowledge of the agricultural workflow.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating digital twins of the agricultural area and the autonomous agricultural machine, using a mathematical model to simulate agricultural work steps, and generating instructions for the machine to execute these steps autonomously, incorporating real-time data adaptation and user-defined optimization goals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous agricultural machinery operates without an operator, then productivity increases, but the machine cannot independently perform work steps without operator knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital twin (virtual copy) of the agricultural machine that contains embedded knowledge of agricultural workflows and work steps. This digital copy enables the autonomous machine to access operator knowledge without requiring a physical operator present, resolving the contradiction between autonomous operation and workflow knowledge requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital twin as an intermediary between the autonomous machine and the agricultural workflow knowledge. The digital twin acts as a mediator that translates workflow requirements into machine commands, enabling autonomous operation while maintaining proper agricultural work sequences
2Extent of automation
If digital twins and mathematical models are used to simulate work steps, then autonomous execution capability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a digital twin (virtual copy) of the agricultural machine to simulate work steps before actual execution. This virtual model allows autonomous operation by pre-simulating workflows, reducing the need for complex real-time decision-making systems while maintaining high automation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary simulation of agricultural work steps using mathematical models before actual machine operation. By pre-calculating and validating work sequences in the digital twin environment, the system reduces real-time computational complexity while maintaining autonomous execution capability
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for generating data for controlling an autonomous agricultural machine (6). The method comprises generating a digital image (10) of an agricultural area to be cultivated, generating a digital image (11) of the autonomous machine (6), each by a processing device (2), and storing the digital images (10, 11) in a database (3).The method is characterized by simulating at least one work step of an agricultural work process comprising a sequence of work steps using a mathematical model of the at least one work step and data from the digital image (10) of the area to be worked and data from the digital image (11) of the autonomous working machine (6), wherein the output of the simulation is an instruction to carry out the work step by the autonomous working machine (6), a transmission of the instruction to a control unit of the autonomous working machine (6) and an execution of the instruction by the control unit.