Remote Obstacle Sensing for Autonomous Farm Vehicle Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural vehicle obstacle detection systems fail to accurately detect and identify dynamic obstacles in real-time, relying on outdated field maps or expensive, technically intensive sensor setups with limited fields of view, and lack effective autonomous control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A consolidated detection system using a remote sensing device, such as a drone or articulating arm, equipped with sensors to detect and identify obstacles proximate to the vehicle, coupled with an obstacle recognition module to index and prioritize obstacles, and a vehicle operation module for autonomous control, enabling adaptive navigation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sensor packages with multiple sensors directed in multiple directions are used, then obstacle detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote sensing device (drone or ground-based vehicle) as an intermediary to perform obstacle detection. This external sensing platform carries sensors that can be directed toward the agricultural vehicle and surrounding areas, providing comprehensive obstacle detection coverage without requiring complex multi-directional sensor packages on the vehicle itself. The remote device acts as a mediator that collects sensing data and transmits it to the vehicle's control system.
2Measurement precision
If extensive sensor packages with signal processing algorithms are deployed on the agricultural vehicle, then real-time obstacle identification capability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The remote sensing device serves as an intermediary that performs initial obstacle identification and data processing. Instead of burdening the agricultural vehicle with extensive signal processing algorithms, the remote device captures sensor data, processes it to identify obstacles, and transmits only the essential identification information to the vehicle's control system. This reduces the computational burden and complexity on the vehicle while maintaining real-time identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs sensing and initial processing partially at the remote device and partially at the vehicle control system. The remote device performs the more complex sensing and preliminary analysis, while the vehicle system handles the critical real-time response functions. This division of labor optimizes the distribution of computational complexity across the system.
3Reliability
If ground-based scout drones are used for forward path observation, then forthcoming obstacle detection is improved, but proximate obstacle detection capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a remote sensing device that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation relative to the agricultural vehicle. Unlike fixed ground-based scout drones, this system can move to optimal vantage points and direct sensors toward both the forward path and the proximate areas around the vehicle. The dynamic positioning capability allows the same remote device to effectively perform both forthcoming obstacle detection and proximate obstacle monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote sensing device is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple functions: observing the forward path, monitoring proximate areas around the vehicle, and providing comprehensive spatial coverage. This multi-functional device replaces the need for separate specialized systems for different detection zones, consolidating detection capabilities into a single versatile platform.
4Ease of operation
If field maps with manually input obstacles are used, then navigation assistance is provided, but real-time dynamic obstacle detection is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects real-time sensing data from the remote device and feeds this information back to the control system. This feedback loop enables the system to detect and respond to dynamic obstacles as they appear, rather than relying on static field map data. The control system uses this real-time feedback to generate updated navigation commands that avoid newly detected obstacles while maintaining navigation assistance functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sensing and obstacle identification using the remote device before the agricultural vehicle encounters potential obstacles. By detecting and identifying obstacles in advance through the remote platform, the system can proactively adjust navigation paths and provide real-time avoidance guidance, rather than reacting to obstacles only after they are detected by onboard sensors.
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomous obstacle monitoring and vehicle control system includes a remote sensing device including one or more sensors. The remote sensing device is movable relative to an agricultural system, and configured to observe obstacles proximate to a path of an agricultural system or proximate to the agricultural system. An obstacle recognition module communicates with the remote sensing device, and is configured to identify and index obstacles proximate to the path or proximate to the agricultural system. An autonomous agricultural system controller is configured for communication with the agricultural system. The autonomous agricultural system controller includes a mission administration module configured to operate the remote sensing device, and a vehicle operation module configured to control the agricultural system based on the identified and indexed obstacles.