Reusable Mission Planning for Multi-Field Vehicle Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation systems for off-highway machines are limited in scope and repeatability, as they do not effectively manage preparation, transition, and operations across multiple fields or machines, restricting the potential benefits of autonomy and requiring human intervention for machine transport and operation planning.
Innovation Solution
An automation system that develops reusable digital assets for mission planning, allowing for flexible and efficient operation across multiple fields and machines, using a cloud management system to integrate machine profiles, sensor data, and machine learning models to create tailored mission plans that include pre- and post-work operations, as well as transition operations, enabling autonomous collaboration and adaptive behaviors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automation systems are designed for single-field operations with stored programs, then operational reliability within the specified field is improved, but adaptability to multiple fields and operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates reusable digital assets that can be applied across multiple fields and machines. Mission elements are designed to be universal components that can be assembled into different mission plans for various operations and locations, allowing the same automated system to reliably operate across diverse environments rather than being constrained to single-field operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments mission plans into reusable digital assets and mission elements that can be independently developed, tested, and reused. This segmentation allows reliable core operational elements to be separated from field-specific details, enabling the reliable components to be adapted to multiple fields while maintaining operational consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If human operators manage machine transport and operation planning, then operational flexibility is improved, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the system automatically manages machine transport, mission planning, and operation coordination. The automated system uses reusable digital assets to independently plan and execute multi-field operations, eliminating the need for continuous human intervention while maintaining operational flexibility through adaptive mission element assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-developed reusable digital assets and mission elements that are prepared in advance for various operations and fields. These pre-planned components enable the automated system to quickly assemble operational plans without requiring real-time human decision-making, thereby improving productivity while maintaining flexibility through the modular asset library.
3Manufacturing precision
If automation systems use field-specific stored programs, then manufacturing precision for the given project is improved, but adaptability to other machines and operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates reusable digital assets that are machine-agnostic and operation-agnostic, designed to work across different machine types and operational contexts. These universal assets maintain precise control for their intended functions while being applicable to multiple machines and operations, eliminating the need for field-specific programming for each machine type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses reusable digital assets that can be copied and applied across multiple machines and operations. Instead of creating custom programs for each machine-field combination, the system copies and adapts proven mission elements from one context to another, maintaining operational precision through reuse of validated assets while expanding adaptability to new machines and fields.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated machine management and operational control system. The system uses reusable digital assets to efficiently generate mission plans using predictable instructions. The reusable digital assets are created for applicability to multiple machines, locations, implements and operations. Machine, implement or location specific configurations may be used in combination with reusable digital assets to form mission plan instructions.