GPS-Based Autonomous Steering Control for Path Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intelligent control systems for autonomously-steering machines, such as lawn mowers, face limitations in efficiently defining and optimizing travel paths while avoiding obstacles, leading to suboptimal navigation and increased distance traveled.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a GPS system, memory device, and processor to record and process location data, determine perimeters and excluded areas, and generate optimized travel paths, allowing the machine to autonomously steer while minimizing distance traveled and updating paths based on user deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional border-wire-based robotic mowers are used, then the mower can operate autonomously, but the navigation efficiency is poor and the total distance traveled is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives location data from GPS satellites, compares the current position with the optimized travel path, and adjusts the steering accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the mower to maintain accurate navigation while minimizing deviations from the optimal path, thereby improving navigation efficiency and reducing total distance traveled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical border-wire-based navigation systems with an electronic GPS-based positioning and path optimization system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical border wires and enables more efficient path planning and execution, directly addressing the navigation efficiency and distance reduction goals.
2Measurement precision
If GPS-based path optimization is implemented, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs multiple functions using a single integrated platform: it processes GPS satellite signals for positioning, calculates optimized travel paths based on area boundaries and excluded zones, provides real-time steering control, and displays navigation information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each task, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high navigation accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for controlling the steering of a machine such as a mower, sprayer, raker, or snow plow. A control system may comprise a unitary structure such as a tablet computer may be removably attached with the machine, the control system tracking movement of the machine over an area using GPS systems or the like and then automatically calculating, storing, and transmitting optimized travel paths that minimize the distance traveled by the machine for subsequent movements of the machine over the same area. Systems may automatically detect excluded areas within the area, and may automatically update optimized travel paths during subsequent uses at the option of a user. Path data and other information may be stored remotely and access thereto controlled by a service provider. Record-replay functionality is disclosed.