Abstract:
The present invention provides for a first vehicle (406) and a number of other vehicles (408) that are moved on a number of paths (412, 416) that are substantially parallel to, and offset to at least one of a first offset side and a second offset side of, the path (430) for the first vehicle (406). The number of other vehicles (408) is moved along at least a portion (444) of the path (430) in the turn in response to a turn in the path (430) of the first vehicle (406). The number of other vehicles (408) may be moved from the path (430) to a number of second parallel paths (412, 416) that are substantially parallel to the path (430) after the turn of the first vehicle (406) and offset to an opposite offset side of the first vehicle (406) than the at least one offset side before the turn in response to the first vehicle (406) completing the turn.
Abstract:
A vehicle guidance system includes a location determining component (18) for determining locations of the vehicle; a weight sensor (20) for sensing a weight associated with the vehicle; a steering actuator (24) for steering at least one wheel of the vehicle; and a computing device (22) in communication with the location determining component, the weight sensor, and the steering actuator. The computing device receives cartographic data representative of a desired path for the vehicle, receives location information from the location determining component, controls operation of the steering actuator in order to guide the vehicle along the desired path, and adjusts a steering parameter at least partially based on the weight sensed by the weight sensor.
Abstract:
A guidance system for an agriculture platform that is capable of making decisions concerning the platforms direction and velocity regarding the pathway the platform is moving along as well as obstacles in the path of the platform, is provided. The autonomous agricultural platform guidance system and method will make it possible for small scale farming to take up automated mechanical farming practices which are currently only practical for large scale farming thus improving land utilization efficiency while lowering manpower costs dramatically.
Abstract:
A system (24) is provided for positioning a work implement (20). The system has at least one actuator (32, 34, 54) for actuating a movement of a work implement. The. system also has at least one sensor (68) associated with the at least one actuator and configured to sense at least one parameter indicative of a position and an orientation of the work implement. Furthermore, the system has a controller (74) configured to automatically create a travel path for the work implement and guide the work implement in response to the data- received from the at least one sensor, wherein the controller is further configured to automatically modify the travel path when detecting an imminent collision between the work implement (20) and an obstacle.
Abstract:
Unmanned vehicle for displacing in particular dung from the floor of a shed, which comprises a frame (10), with disposed thereon material displacing means (18), propelling means (12, 14, 14') and navigation means with a sensor (24, 28) for forming an image of an observation area, the sensor (24, 28) comprising a source of radiation for modulated electromagnetic radiation (26, 36), in particular light, a receiver device for electromagnetic radiation reflected by an object (44) in the observation area, and sensor image processing means, wherein the receiver device comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers, and the sensor image processing means are arranged to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate a distance from the receiver to the object (44). Such a vehicle is capable of detecting and displacing material to be displaced in a very reliable manner by means of the depth image obtained by means of the sensor.
Abstract:
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electro-magnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.
Abstract:
A sensor system for vehicle steering control comprising: a plurality of global navigation satellite sensor systems (GNSS) including receivers and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase corrected real time kinematics (RTK) position differences. The roll angle facilitates correction of the lateral motion induced position errors resultant from motion of the antennae as the vehicle moves based on an offset to ground and the roll angle. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system.
Abstract:
A vehicular guidance method involves providing a user interface using which data can be input to establish a contour for a vehicle to follow, the user interface further configured to receive information from a differential global positioning system (DGPS), determining cross track and offset data using information received from the DGPS, generating control values, using at least vehicular kinematics, the cross track, and the offset data, and providing an output to control steering of the vehicle, using the control values, in a direction to follow the established contour while attempting to minimize the cross track and the offset data.
Abstract:
An integrated guidance system is disclosed. The integrated guidance system includes a position determination system adapted for determining a current position. Additionally, the integrated guidance system further includes a lightbar device adapted for providing a visual representation of the deviation of the current position from a desired path to guide movement along the desired path. Furthermore, the integrated guidance system has a data input device, and a display device for displaying text and graphics. Moreover, the integrated guidance system includes a user interface system adapted for facilitating user interaction by integrating operation of the position determination system, the lightbar device, the data input device, and the display device.
Abstract:
A vehicular guidance method involves providing a user interface using which data can be input to establish a contour for a vehicle to follow, the user interface further configured to receive information from a differential global positioning system (DGPS), determining cross track and offset data using information received from the DGPS, generating control values, using at least vehicular kinematics, the cross track, and the offset data, and providing an output to control steering of the vehicle, using the control values, in a direction to follow the established contour while attempting to minimize the cross track and the offset data.