Autonomous Livestock Vehicle Navigation With Centralized Farm Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal feed and manure management systems face challenges in secure data storage and reliable operation, as farm-specific data are typically stored on individual vehicles, risking data loss and exposure of confidential information during vehicle replacement or theft, and navigation can be disrupted by connection issues within livestock buildings.
Innovation Solution
A system with a central operating system storing farm-specific data, allowing vehicles to operate autonomously using pre-transmitted navigation data, reducing the need for continuous communication and minimizing data stored on individual vehicles, thus enhancing security and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If farm-specific data are stored in the memory of the regulating unit of the vehicle, then the vehicle can operate autonomously, but the risk of data exposure and loss increases during vehicle replacement or theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the farm-specific data from the vehicle's regulating unit memory and stores it centrally in the central operating system. Only essential navigation data are transmitted to the vehicle temporarily, minimizing data exposure risk while maintaining autonomous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The central operating system acts as an intermediary that manages farm-specific data securely. It transmits only necessary navigation packets to vehicles when needed, rather than storing all data in vehicles, thus securing data while enabling autonomy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If farm-specific data are stored in the memory of the regulating unit of the vehicle, then the vehicle can navigate autonomously, but reprogramming is required when replacing or adding vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The central operating system serves as a universal data repository that can supply farm-specific data to any vehicle in the fleet. This eliminates the need to reprogram each vehicle individually, as all vehicles access the same centralized data source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-stores all farm-specific data in the central operating system before vehicles are deployed. When a vehicle needs data, it receives the necessary navigation packet from the pre-prepared central repository, eliminating commissioning time.
3Reliability
If continuous communication is maintained between the central operating system and the vehicle, then navigation can be adjusted in real-time, but connection issues within livestock buildings disrupt operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits the complete navigation packet to the vehicle in advance before the vehicle enters the livestock building. This preliminary action ensures the vehicle has all necessary navigation data stored locally, eliminating dependency on continuous communication during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation data is segmented into essential packets that are transmitted beforehand. The vehicle processes these segmented data packets independently without needing continuous communication, ensuring reliable operation in areas with poor connectivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure and reliable operation of feed and manure management systems by reducing the risk of data exposure and ensuring uninterrupted navigation, even in areas with poor connectivity, improving the efficiency and safety of animal care operations.
Implementation Method 1
a battery system for storing electrical energy, said battery system being connected to the electric drive motor
Implementation Method 2
a transmitting and receiving device, said regulating unit being connected to the drive and control system for the regulation thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A system for performing an animal-related action includes a self-propelled vehicle with a regulating unit including a transmitting and receiving device. The regulating unit is connected to a drive and control system of the vehicle, including an electric drive motor and a battery system. The system includes a central operating system provided with a transmitting and receiving device designed to communicate with the transmitting and receiving device of the vehicle. The central operating system includes a memory in which data are stored comprising navigation data, on the basis of which the vehicle is able to travel a predetermined route from a charging station, through at least a part of the operating area, and then back to the charging station. The central operating system transmits a packet of data including these navigation data to the regulating unit of the vehicle.