Field Boundary Modeling for Machine Route Planning Accuracy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing route planning systems for mobile machines fail to consider complex interactions between terrain, ground conditions, soil type, weather conditions, and machinery capabilities, leading to suboptimal paths and increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing machine learning and deep learning models, such as RNNs or LSTM networks, to generate accurate field boundaries and routes by integrating mobile machine location data, satellite images, and secondary information, considering various factors like terrain, soil type, and machinery capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual planning or simple heuristic algorithms are used for route planning, then the system complexity is low and ease of operation is maintained, but the routing efficiency deteriorates and fuel consumption increases due to not considering complex interactions between terrain, soil type, weather conditions, and machinery capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The route planning system is segmented into multiple specialized modules: terrain analysis module, soil type classification module, weather condition integration module, and machinery capability assessment module. Each module independently processes specific factors and feeds results to the route optimization engine, enabling comprehensive consideration of complex interactions while maintaining manageable system architecture through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A machine learning-based route optimization engine serves as an intermediary that integrates inputs from multiple data sources (terrain data, soil information, weather forecasts, machinery specifications) and transforms them into optimized routing plans. This intermediary layer coordinates the complex interactions between various factors without requiring direct integration between all components, simplifying the overall system structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If farmers create field boundaries manually using satellite images, then no database infrastructure is required, but the boundary accuracy deteriorates leading to inefficient waylines and routes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboundary accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where initially generated field boundaries are validated against multiple data sources including satellite imagery, terrain data, and historical operation data. Inaccurate boundaries are automatically detected and corrected through iterative refinement processes, ensuring high boundary accuracy while maintaining operational efficiency in the generated waylines and routes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive data collection and machine learning models are implemented to consider complex interactions, then route planning accuracy improves, but the loss of time for data processing and model training increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute planning accuracyVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and storing terrain data, soil type information, and machinery capability specifications in structured databases before actual route planning is needed. Historical operation data is pre-analyzed to establish baseline performance metrics. This preliminary preparation enables rapid query and integration during actual route planning operations, maintaining high accuracy while minimizing real-time processing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The machine learning models utilize parameter changes by adjusting the level of detail and complexity based on specific planning scenarios. For routine operations, simplified models with fewer parameters provide quick results. For complex terrain or specialized operations, the system dynamically increases model complexity and data processing depth, optimizing the balance between accuracy and processing time for each specific case

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4677981A1Model-based route planning and graphical user interfaces for the planning
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 AGCO INT GMBH
  • EP4677981A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4677981A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4677981A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Technologies for generating field boundaries. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, by a computing system (102, 200), mobile machine location information (104) (step 302). The information including a series of time-stamped locations of a mobile machine (110) as it moves through an area of land during a time period. The machine including an implement used for farming, construction, or forestry. The method also including receiving, by the system, satellite images of the area (106) (step 304). The method also including using, by the system, a machine learning model (109b) to generate a model-based bounding box (112, 1202a) for the area (step 308). The method can also include generating, by the system, a graphic of the box (step 702). The box graphic (1202a) can be generated within a graphical mapped area of land. And, the method can include displaying, via a GUI (116, 216, 1100), the box graphic within the graphical mapped area (step 704).