Robotic platform and method for performing multiple functions in agricultural systems
First Claim
1. An autonomous vehicle platform system for selectively seeding a second cover crop in an agricultural field planted with rows of a first annual crop spaced not more than thirty-six inches apart, the autonomous vehicle platform system comprising:
- one or more unmanned, autonomous vehicle platforms, wherein each autonomous vehicle platform includes a base operably coupled to a plurality of ground engaging wheels or tracks, each autonomous vehicle platform having a first lateral side and a second lateral side, wherein the first and second lateral sides oppose one another and are separated by a distance defining a width of the autonomous vehicle platform, the width so dimensioned as to be receivable within a space defined between two adjacent rows of the first annual crop, wherein each autonomous vehicle platform is programmed with a self-direction program to autonomously navigate the autonomous vehicle platform within the space between two adjacent rows of the first annual crop and to avoid obstacles, including other autonomous vehicle platforms, while selectively seeding the second cover crop within the agricultural field.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An autonomous vehicle platform system and method configured to perform various in-season management tasks, including selectively applying fertilizer, mapping growth zones and seeding cover crop within an agricultural field, while self-navigating between rows of planted crops and beneath the canopy of the planted crops on the uneven terrain of an agricultural field, allowing for an ideal in-season application of fertilizer to occur once the planted crop is well established and growing rapidly, in an effort to limit the loss of fertilizer.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An autonomous vehicle platform system for selectively seeding a second cover crop in an agricultural field planted with rows of a first annual crop spaced not more than thirty-six inches apart, the autonomous vehicle platform system comprising:
one or more unmanned, autonomous vehicle platforms, wherein each autonomous vehicle platform includes a base operably coupled to a plurality of ground engaging wheels or tracks, each autonomous vehicle platform having a first lateral side and a second lateral side, wherein the first and second lateral sides oppose one another and are separated by a distance defining a width of the autonomous vehicle platform, the width so dimensioned as to be receivable within a space defined between two adjacent rows of the first annual crop, wherein each autonomous vehicle platform is programmed with a self-direction program to autonomously navigate the autonomous vehicle platform within the space between two adjacent rows of the first annual crop and to avoid obstacles, including other autonomous vehicle platforms, while selectively seeding the second cover crop within the agricultural field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
Specification