RFID Tag Vehicle Navigation Path Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position of robotic vehicles, such as mowers or sprayers, within work areas defined by buried wires or cables are inefficient and energy-intensive due to reliance on random path navigation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing radio frequency identification (RFID) tags spaced throughout the work area, combined with odometer and inertial sensor data, to enable precise navigation and path planning, allowing the vehicle to determine its position and follow established path segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnetic field detectors or electric field detectors are used to detect boundary wires or cables, then the vehicle can navigate within the work area, but the navigation becomes slow and energy inefficient due to random path execution
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes an optimal path through the work area before the vehicle begins operation. The path planning module calculates the most efficient route connecting multiple RFID tags, and the vehicle follows this predetermined path rather than executing random movements, thereby improving navigation speed and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the magnetic field or electric field detection system with a RFID tag-based positioning system. Instead of using electromagnetic field detectors to sense boundary wires, the vehicle uses a reader to detect RFID tags at specific locations, enabling more precise and efficient path following
2Productivity
If RFID tags are spaced throughout the work area to enable precise positioning, then navigation efficiency improves, but the system complexity and cost increase due to additional infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The work area is divided into segments with RFID tags placed at specific locations rather than requiring continuous boundary detection. This segmentation approach allows the vehicle to navigate efficiently by transitioning between tagged locations while reducing the overall infrastructure complexity compared to complete field detection systems
Solution Approach 2:
RFID tags serve as intermediary markers placed at strategic locations within the work area. These tags mediate between the vehicle's positioning system and the physical boundaries, providing discrete reference points that enable efficient navigation without requiring complex continuous field detection infrastructure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient and energy-effective navigation of robotic vehicles by providing accurate positioning and path planning, ensuring thorough coverage of the work area while preventing excessive resource application.
Implementation Method 1
positioning a group of radio frequency identification tags spaced apart from one another in or around a work area for the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
A data processor determines an estimated position of the vehicle based on at least one of odometer data and inertial sensor data
Data Source
AI summary
Radio frequency identification tags are spaced apart from one another in or around a work area for the vehicle. Each of the tags has a corresponding unique identifier. A path planning module establishes a path comprising a path segment between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags. The path segment comprises at least one of a distance between the tags, an angular heading between the tags, and unique identifiers corresponding to the tags. A data processor determines an estimated position of the vehicle based on at least one of odometer data and accelerometer data. A vehicle controller navigates between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags based on the estimated position, the distance and the angular heading. A reader reads the tag identifiers of each tag to track the progress of the vehicle to facilitate execution of or retrieval of any next path segment of the vehicle along the established path.