Autonomous Poultry Barn Navigation With Adaptive Animal Deterrence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for encouraging healthy movement in animals and removing expired poultry in poultry barns are inefficient, require significant manual intervention, and fail to dynamically adjust to the needs of the animals and environment, while also posing health risks to human operators due to exposure to dust and gases.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous navigation device equipped with drive wheels, caster wheels, sensors, and a spinner assembly that uses machine learning to detect and track animals, encourage movement, and autonomously recover expired poultry by navigating and interacting with the environment, reducing manual labor and exposure risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If manual removal of expired poultry is performed, then the task can be completed, but human operators are exposed to dust and gases causing health risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator exposure to dust and gasesVSAvoidmanual intervention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device autonomously performs the task of detecting and removing expired poultry without human intervention. The system uses sensors to detect expired poultry, navigates to their location, and activates the retrieval mechanism to collect and remove them, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating operator exposure to harmful environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical removal with an automated navigation device equipped with sensors, processors, and automated retrieval mechanisms. The system uses optical sensors, LiDAR, and machine learning algorithms to detect and locate expired poultry, then automatically navigates and retrieves them, substituting human mechanical action with automated electro-mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing solutions for encouraging animal movement are used, then some movement encouragement is provided, but they cannot dynamically adjust to changing needs of animals and environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic adjustability to animal needsVSAvoidreal-time interaction and adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device incorporates dynamic capabilities through real-time sensor data processing and machine learning algorithms that continuously monitor animal behavior, environment conditions, and device position. The system dynamically adjusts its navigation path, interaction strategies, and movement encouragement tactics based on real-time feedback from cameras, LiDAR, and other sensors, enabling adaptability to changing animal needs and environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor animal responses to movement encouragement, environmental conditions, and device actions. This feedback is processed by machine learning algorithms that adjust the navigation device's behavior in real-time, optimizing animal movement encouragement while minimizing stress and adapting to individual animal needs and group dynamics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If autonomous navigation device interacts with animals to encourage movement, then healthy movement is promoted, but excessive or forced movement can cause stress and anxiety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealthy animal movementVSAvoidanimal stress and anxiety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device applies partial action by providing movement encouragement only when and where needed, rather than continuous or excessive stimulation. The system uses zone-based approaches where animals in certain areas receive gentle encouragement through the spinner assembly, while animals already moving or in safe zones are left undisturbed, preventing excessive stress while maintaining healthy movement levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as spinner assembly rotation speed, navigation device movement speed, and interaction intensity based on real-time animal behavior detection. Machine learning algorithms adjust these parameters to optimize movement encouragement while staying below stress thresholds, adapting to individual animal responses and environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240341289A1System and method for dynamically altering a device for moving animals

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 BIRDS EYE ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

A navigation device provides for autonomous interactions with animals and navigation of the animal environment, such as a poultry barn. The navigation device includes one or more cameras for detecting animals. The navigation device also includes one or more cameras for object detection purposes. The navigation device also includes a camera or a LiDAR for mapping the position and orientation (pose) of the navigation device within the environment. By the object detection and the pose information, the navigation device autonomously travels within the environment. The navigation device also includes a spinner assembly for deterring animals from the path of the navigation device.