Robotic vehicle and method for soil testing
First Claim
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1. A method for automatic soil sampling and analysis, comprising:
- a) moving a robot platform over the soil;
b) taking a soil sample using a soil probe on the robot platform;
c) analyzing the soil sample in a lab on the robot platform;
d) generating data from the soil analysis; and
e) transmitting the data to a remote site.
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Abstract
An automatic method for soil sampling and analysis is provided using a robotic vehicle. The vehicle includes a ground drive system for moving the robot over the field. A control unit controls the steering and location of the robot. A tool package on the robot has one or more probes for taking soil samples, which are conveyed to a miniature lab on the robot for analyzing the soil sample. A processor generates data from the soil analysis, and the data is transmitted to a remote site for storage and later use. The processor includes software for moving the robot, sampling the soil at desired targets, analyzing the soil, and communicating the data to the remote site.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for automatic soil sampling and analysis, comprising:
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a) moving a robot platform over the soil;
b) taking a soil sample using a soil probe on the robot platform;
c) analyzing the soil sample in a lab on the robot platform;
d) generating data from the soil analysis; and
e) transmitting the data to a remote site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A robot for sampling and analyzing soil, comprising:
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a ground drive system for moving the robot over the ground;
a control unit for controlling the ground drive system;
a probe for taking a soil sample;
a lab for analyzing the soil sample;
a processor for generating data from the soil analysis; and
a transmitter for transmitting the data to a remote site. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification