Abstract:
A guidance system (10) is disclosed for guiding a guidable device relative to a set of markers (38). Each marker (38) has a plurality of detectable marker elements (39) and the marker elements together define a detectable signature sequence. The guidance system comprises a marker detection device (12, 14, 16, 18) arranged to detect the signature sequence of a marker, and to provide a position signal indicative of the relative position of the marker detection device relative to each detected marker using the markers. The system also comprises a steering controller (24) arranged to receive the position signal and to control the position of a guidable device in response to the position signal when the detected signature sequence corresponds to a valid signature sequence. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention is a method for providing guidance towards a far-point position for a vehicle implementing a satellite-based guidance system. The method (200) includes capturing an image (202). The method 200 ()further includes providing the image in a digital format to an algorithm (204). The method (200) further includes isolating far-point pixelized data of the provided image (206). The method (200) further includes generating data for causing a steering control system of the vehicle implementing the satellite-based guidance system to maintain the vehicle on a straight-line path towards the far-point position (208).
Abstract:
System for switching between autonomous and manual operation of a vehicle wherein a mechanical control system receives manual inputs from a mechanical operation member and an actuator mated to the mechanical control by an electrically actuated clutch receives autonomous control signals generated by a controller. An E-Stop system is further configured to remove power from the clutch for safety, while leaving power in the actuator. A method for autonomous mode starting of a vehicle comprises receiving a signal indicating autonomous mode, determining that a parking brake lever is set and the brakes are engaged, disengaging the brakes while maintaining the lever in the set position, and engaging in autonomous mode.
Abstract:
An autonomous vehicle and systems having an interface for payloads that allows integration of various payloads with relative ease. There is a vehicle control system for controlling an autonomous vehicle, receiving data, and transmitting a control signal on at least one network. A payload is adapted to detachably connect to the autonomous vehicle, the payload comprising a network interface configured to receive the control signal from the vehicle control system over the at least one network. The vehicle control system may encapsulate payload data and transmit the payload data over the at least one network, including Ethernet or CAN networks. The payload may be a laser scanner, a radio, a chemical detection system, or a Global Positioning System unit. In certain embodiments, the payload is a camera mast unit, where the camera communicates with the autonomous vehicle control system to detect and avoid obstacles. The camera mast unit may be interchangeable, and may include structures for receiving additional payload components.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Kombination aus einer selbstfahrenden Erntemaschine (32) und einem zur Aufnahme von Erntegut von der Erntemaschine eingerichteten Transportfahrzeug (33), das mindestens eine angetriebene und mindestens eine gelenkte Achse aufweist, wobei das Transportfahrzeug (33) eine elektronische Steuerungseinheit (38) aufweist, die zur Steuerung der angetriebenen und der gelenkten Achse des Transportfahrzeugs (33) eingerichtet ist, und die Steuerungseinheit (38) mit einer Empfangseinheit verbunden ist, die eingerichtet ist, Positionsdaten der Erntemaschine (32) zu empfangen, so dass die Steuerungseinheit (38) betreibbar ist, das Transportfahrzeug (33) zur Übernahme von Erntegut von der Erntemaschine (32) selbsttätig in Bezug zu einer Position der Erntemaschine (32) zu steuern. Es wird vorgeschlagen, dass die Steuerungseinheit (38) betreibbar ist, das Transportfahrzeug (32) selbsttätig parallel zur Erntemaschine (32) fahren zu lassen und daran anzudocken, um Erntegut von der Erntemaschine (32) übernehmen zu können, und dass das Transportfahrzeug (33) unbemannt ist.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to vehicle guidance software for use with an agricultural vehicle having a guidance system. The software includes a processing portion (24) for generating a set of guidance indicators from a set of waypoints. The software further includes an adapting portion (26) for analysing the guidance indicators produced by the processing portion (24) and determining whether the guidance indicators define a path that cannot be traversed by the vehicle due to its minimum turning radius. In the event that a path cannot be traversed by the vehicle the adaptive portion (26) generates a set of alternative guidance indicators that define a path that is traversable by the vehicle.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus (100) for providing autoguidance for a plurality of agricultural machines (102). Each agricultural machine (102) has a work implement (114) attached. The method includes the steps of determining a reference path (308) by a first agricultrual machine (102), communicating the location of the reference path (308) to each remaining agricultural machine (102), and determining a plurality of desired paths parallel to the reference path (308) by each of the plurality of agricultural machines (102). Each plurality of desired paths is determined as a function of the width of the corresponding work implement (114) for each respective agricultural machine (102).
Abstract:
A marking composition is laid on ground to provide a mark (16, 17) which is followed by agricultural equipment (10). The mark is coloured blue and sighted by CCD camera (20). The camera output is processed line by line in segments with pixels examined by an algorithm which determines which segment was the blue line. An indicator can signal position to an operator.
Abstract:
A robotic cultivator is provided for automatically positioning cultivation tools relative to a centerline of a plant row. The cultivator comprises a video camera (14) for gathering visual information about plants in a plant row. A frame grabber (22) is then utilized to generate a digitized image of the visual information. A computer (16) then manipulates the visual information to determine the centerline of the plant row. Finally, the positioning device moves the cultivation tools based upon the current position of the tools with respect to the centerline.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Fahrzeugleitsystem (2) für ein Fahrzeug (1), insbesondere Agrarkraftfahrzeug, mit einer Zielbestimmungsvorrichtung (6) zur Auswahl eines Fahrziels und mit einer Führungseinrichtung (7) zur Führung zu dem Fahrziel, wobei die Zielbestimmungsvorrichtung (6) eine Anzeigeeinrichtung (8) aufweist. Es ist vorgesehen, dass die Zielbestimmungseinrichtung (6) wenigstens eine Kameraeinrichtung (3) zur Erfassung eines Umgebungsbereichs des Fahrzeugs (1) und eine Auswahlvorrichtung (13) aufweist, mittels derer ein von der Kameraeinrichtung (3) erfasstes Objekt als Fahrziel auswählbar ist.