Abstract:
An automatic running work vehicle which is adapted to repeat a running travel reciprocatingly and which has means for teaching the running course of one travel by sampling the running direction detected by an orientation sensor every predetermined running distance detected by a distance sensor during the travel and for steering the work vehicle based on the information of running course taught by the preceding travel when follower sensors fail to detect the boundary of the running course for a predetermined period of time.
Abstract:
An automatic running work vehicle adapted to repeatedly work on the ground while automatically changing its running direction and provided with means for controlling the vehicle body so that the vehicle body will be automatically positioned, upon a change of direction after finishing one course, for the next course with its orientation and position in match with the boundary of the course.
Abstract:
An automatic running work vehicle having a device for teaching the outer periphery of the entire area of a work site and automatically producing from the result a running course covering the interior thereof. The vehicle is adapted to automatically run the course under steering control.
Abstract:
An automatic running work vehicle in which both front wheels and rear wheels can be steered and which is provided with a follower sensor for detecting the boundary between an unworked area and a worked area and an orientation sensor for detecting the running direction so as to run automatically along the boundary. Based on the result of detection of the boundary by the follower sensor and on the result of detection of the orientation of the vehicle body by the orientation sensor, the front and rear wheels are steered automatically to correct the running direction automatically.
Abstract:
An automatic lawn mower operable to cut about the periphery of a lawn, moving inwardly, and automatically shutting off at the conclusion of the cutting operation. A cut border is placed about the periphery of the lawn to be mowed and also about any obstacles within the area. The mower utilizes an array of light sensitive resistors and a columnized light source to detect the transition between cut and uncut grass in order to track in an irregularly shaped spiral to the center of the lawn. A portion of the sensor system provides for proper guidance of the mower around the cut perimeter of any obstacles in the cutting area. The mower may utilize an array of light sensitive resistors, a columnized light source and actuated light reflectors to detect the transition between cut and uncut grass in order to track in an irregularly shaped spiral to the center of the lawn.
Abstract:
The present method and system for the automatic orientation and control of a robot in a space or on a surface to be worked by the robot, for example an area to be vacuum-cleaned or a lawn to be mowed, employs a plurality of distance measuring devices, which continuously and repeatedly measure distances from the robot to points or small surface areas defining the surface to be worked. Electro-optical distance measuring devices are effective in a far range. Electro-acoustical distance measuring devices are effective in a close range. Electro and/or mechanical means are effective in a contact range. The distance measuring devices continuously ascertain scalar values which by means of data processing are transformed into digital control signals for the drive means and for the tools carried by the robot, whereby the robot plans its own driving and working strategies as the result of said continuous distance measurements. The drive means include wheels which constitute simultaneously digitally controllable drive motors for the robot. The wheels are tiltable about vertical axes for steering the robot.
Abstract:
A mower slope sensing system on a grass mowing machine. An elevation sensor may capture terrain elevation values for each of a plurality of different locations according to a latitude and a longitude of each of the locations on a field. An electronic controller may store the terrain elevation values, latitudes and longitudes, and adjust a mowing blade speed depending on changes in the terrain elevation values from a current location to a next expected location.
Abstract:
A mobile robot, and a method of controlling the mobile robot, the mobile robot including a communication interface configured to communicate with a beacon; a metal sensor configured to detect a metal guide connected to a charging station; and a controller configured to control the communication interface to communicate with the beacon to obtain position information of the mobile robot, obtain a distance between the mobile robot and the charging station based on the obtained position information of the mobile robot and indoor map information, and based on the obtained distance being less than a first reference distance, operate the metal sensor to detect the metal guide.
Abstract:
A mower slope sensing system on a grass mowing machine. An elevation sensor may capture terrain elevation values for each of a plurality of different locations according to a latitude and a longitude of each of the locations on a field. An electronic controller may store the terrain elevation values, latitudes and longitudes, and adjust a mowing blade speed depending on changes in the terrain elevation values from a current location to a next expected location.