Mobile Supply Station Planning for Autonomous Field Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for managing input supply to autonomous agricultural robots are inflexible and do not optimize the travel of supply stations or vehicle travel, leading to inefficient fuel consumption and increased downtime due to non-working round trips.
Innovation Solution
A method that subdivides the main field into elementary work zones and defines a preferred headland portion for input supply, where a mobile supply station can be repositioned, allowing robots to efficiently travel to the supply station and minimizing station travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the supply station remains at a fixed location, then the station does not need to be moved, but the robots will have to travel towards it to reload, sometimes over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The supply station is transformed from a static fixed location to a dynamic mobile unit that can autonomously navigate the field. The station is equipped with motors, sensors, and navigation capabilities to move to optimal positions and autonomously supply robots, converting the system from static to dynamic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply station is equipped with autonomous navigation and supply capabilities, enabling it to independently determine its position, navigate to robots needing supply, and perform reloading operations without human intervention. The station uses sensors to detect robots and automatically transfers inputs when in position.
2Loss of time
If the station is moved frequently to optimize reloading locations, then the travel distance for robots is reduced, but the fuel consumption and lost time for moving the station increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment and planning of the work to be carried out on the plot of land before execution. The central management system calculates optimal supply locations and robot assignments in advance, allowing the supply station to position itself proactively rather than reactively, minimizing both station movement and robot travel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the progress of work by different robots and the evolution of the situation over the working duration. The central management system receives real-time data from robots and the supply station, and dynamically reassesses and reassigns work zones to optimize the balance between station movement and robot travel.
3Productivity
If the plot of land is divided into work zones and assigned to different robots, then the work distribution is optimized, but the need for frequent reloading increases with more robots
Solution Approach 1:
The supply station is designed as a multi-functional unit that can supply multiple different types of inputs (fuel, seeds, fertilizer, plant protection products) to multiple different robots simultaneously. This universal supply capability allows a single station to serve an entire fleet of robots, reducing the need for multiple specialized supply points and minimizing overall reloading frequency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of working a plot of land by at least one autonomously and independently operating agricultural robot including, during or after an assessment and planning stage, at least one preferred headland portion specifically intended for input supply and in which at least one supply station for at least one input is located, with the ability to move or reposition within this portion, the at least one robot heading towards this portion when a supply instruction is received or generated by it.