Autonomous Orchard Cart Navigation for Labor-Constrained Fruit Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The orchard fruit industry faces a significant labor shortage, and existing manual methods for managing orchards are inefficient, failing to effectively address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A robotic orchard cart system equipped with a powertrain, detachable transport structure, sensor suite, and computer for autonomous navigation and management, including features like pivot arms, hydraulic couplers, and safety systems to enhance efficiency and safety in orchard operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used to move carts and carry containers through the orchard, then human workers can perform tasks, but labor shortage and inefficiency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous orchard cart performs tasks independently without human intervention. The cart navigates autonomously using sensors and computers, transports containers self-propelled, and handles organic materials automatically, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminating dependency on human labor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human workers physically moving carts with an autonomous robotic system. The autonomous cart uses sensors, computers, and automated propulsion mechanisms to substitute human physical effort, transforming manual orchard management into an automated process
2Productivity
If robotic systems are introduced to automate orchard tasks, then productivity and efficiency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous orchard cart is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform various orchard tasks including transporting containers, navigating through rows, handling organic materials, and adapting to different operational requirements. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single system, managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system is divided into modular components including the autonomous cart, detachable transport structures, sensor suites, and computer systems. This segmentation allows independent development, testing, and maintenance of each module, managing overall system complexity through modular architecture while maintaining high productivity
3Quantity of substance
If the cart is designed to carry heavy loads exceeding 500 pounds, then transportation capacity increases, but structural complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is pre-engineered with reinforced structures and strategic support points designed beforehand to handle loads exceeding 500 pounds. This preliminary structural preparation ensures the frame can support heavy containers and organic materials without requiring complex reinforcements during operation, managing structural complexity through advance design
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system provide the ability to autonomously navigate an orchard cart in an orchard. Data is received from a sensor suite of the orchard cart into a computer. The sensor suite includes two or more sensors with at least one positional sensor and at least one perception sensor. Based on the data, the computer detects objects in the orchard. A row in the orchard consists of the objects. The orchard cart is autonomously navigated, via the computer, through the orchard. The navigation includes autonomously positioning the orchard cart a defined distance from the detected objects with respect to the row, and autonomously maintaining a defined speed of the orchard cart as the orchard cart is navigated down the row, such that the orchard cart avoids the detected object.