Modular Vegetation Removal Robot for Cutting and Targeted Spraying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing invasive plant species are inefficient, labor-intensive, and unsafe, particularly in dense forests or wooded areas, due to the difficulty in identifying and accessing these species and the physical demands on humans.

Innovation Solution

A robotic modular system equipped with a cutting and spraying module, optical module, and drive system, capable of navigating various terrains and obstacles, autonomously or semi-autonomously, to identify and eradicate invasive species using a combination of cutting and herbicide application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual cutting and spraying methods are used, then human operators can directly remove invasive species, but the work becomes labor-intensive, unsafe, and inefficient in dense forests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of invasive species removalVSAvoidsafety and labor intensity for human operators

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (cutting with machetes, spraying with handheld equipment) with an automated robotic system equipped with cutting members and spraying members. The robotic system navigates dense forests autonomously, performing invasive species removal without human operators physically present in hazardous environments, thereby eliminating labor intensity and safety risks while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system is equipped with sensors, processors, and control systems that enable it to autonomously identify invasive species, navigate terrain, position cutting and spraying members, and execute removal operations without continuous human intervention. This self-service capability allows the system to operate independently in dense forests, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If human operators manually identify and treat invasive species, then direct removal is possible, but the process becomes time-consuming and difficult in dense forests with many plant species

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy in identifying invasive speciesVSAvoidtime required for identification and treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual identification and decision-making with an automated optical system comprising cameras, sensors, and image processing algorithms. This system rapidly captures and analyzes visual data to identify invasive species with high accuracy, eliminating the time-consuming nature of manual identification while improving precision through consistent algorithmic analysis compared to human variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system operates continuously without interruption, moving systematically through forest areas and treating invasive species as they are identified. The autonomous navigation and continuous operation eliminate breaks and delays associated with manual work, significantly reducing the total time required for invasive species removal while maintaining high identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If comprehensive cutting and spraying equipment is used, then effective invasive species removal is achieved, but the system becomes complex and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of invasive species eradicationVSAvoidcomplexity of building the robotic system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the robotic system into distinct functional modules: navigation module with sensors and processors, cutting module with cutting members and actuators, spraying module with spraying members and fluid delivery systems, and power module with battery and power management. This segmentation allows each module to be designed, manufactured, tested, and maintained independently, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable performance of the complete system for effective invasive species eradication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system integrates multiple functions (navigation, identification, cutting, spraying, and power management) into a single unified platform. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into one integrated robot, simplifying manufacturing compared to building and coordinating separate specialized devices while maintaining comprehensive effectiveness for invasive species removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260068869A1Robotic modular system for removing vegetation

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 INVASIVE REMOVAL LLC

AI summary

In one or more illustrative arrangements, a robotic modular system is presented that is configured to remove vegetation, which may be an invasive plant species and/or target plant. In one or more illustrative arrangements, the robotic modular system includes a cutting module, a spraying module, and an optical module. In one or more illustrative arrangements, the system identifies an invasive species and/or target plant, the system is then moved near the invasive species and/or target plant, and the cutting module is positioned to perform a cutting operation. In one or more illustrative arrangements, the cutting module then performs a cutting operation on the invasive species and/or target plants, and the spraying module sprays the remaining portion thereof.