Swarm Task Coordination for Autonomous Farm Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Efficiently utilizing autonomous universal agricultural machines for a variety of agricultural tasks is challenging due to the need for extensive user intervention in task planning and execution, as these machines require specific instructions and monitoring, which can be time-consuming and demanding, especially when handling spontaneous secondary tasks.
Innovation Solution
A swarm assistance system that assigns and supports the implementation of secondary tasks to autonomous universal agricultural machines, providing process knowledge and communication with the machines to relieve users and enable the machines to handle a range of activities, including spontaneous tasks, by using a combination of app-based and server applications for data access and computing power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous universal agricultural machines are used to perform multiple agricultural tasks, then utilization efficiency and acquisition costs are improved, but the technical complexity especially in terms of software increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a swarm assistance system as an intermediary between the user and the autonomous universal agricultural machine. This system includes a server application that handles complex task planning, coordination, and monitoring, while the machine itself executes standardized commands. The swarm assistance system acts as a mediator that manages the technical complexity remotely, allowing the machine to remain relatively simple while still achieving high utilization efficiency through coordinated swarm behavior and automated decision-making.
2Loss of time
If autonomous agricultural universal machines are used to perform agricultural tasks independently, then user time and attention are reduced, but detailed advance planning and coordination are required
Solution Approach 1:
The swarm assistance system performs preliminary actions by pre-planning agricultural tasks and coordinating machine deployment before the actual fieldwork begins. The server application creates detailed task plans, assigns secondary tasks to appropriate machines, and establishes coordination protocols in advance. This preliminary planning phase automates the complex coordination requirements, allowing machines to execute tasks independently during operation without requiring real-time user intervention or on-the-fly decision-making.
3Reliability
If users manually assign tasks and monitor execution of autonomous machines, then task execution is controlled, but valuable time and attention are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The swarm assistance system implements automated feedback mechanisms where the server application continuously monitors machine status, task progress, and execution quality. The system receives feedback data from machines during operation and automatically adjusts task assignments, reassigns secondary tasks, and coordinates swarm behavior based on real-time conditions. This closed-loop feedback system maintains reliable task execution control while eliminating the need for continuous user monitoring, as the automated system handles all supervision and adjustment functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a swarm assistance system for planning and controlling the deployment of at least one autonomous agricultural universal work machine (4), wherein the swarm assistance system (8) is configured to support the execution of an agricultural work task comprising at least one main task and at least one secondary task, wherein the main task is performed by an agricultural work machine (2), wherein the swarm assistance system (8) is configured to communicate with at least one autonomous agricultural universal work machine (4), and wherein the swarm assistance system (8) is configured to assign one of the secondary tasks to the autonomous agricultural universal work machine (4) for execution and to support the execution of the secondary task.