BEACH CLEANING AUTONOMOUS ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20200133309A1
• Filed: 10/31/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: GRUNDEY, Jason W., LOWERY, JR., Richard M., MURASAWA, Naoki
• Application Number:
  US16/177,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20200133309A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 12/004 using floating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0225 involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay parking aids B62D15/027
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0238 using obstacle or wall sensors G05D1/0246 and G05D1/0289 take precedence; lidar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S17/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0289 with means for avoiding collisions between vehicles vehicle fittings for automatically controlling speed including means for detecting potential obstacles B60K31/0008; avoiding obstacles by action on the steering system B62D; radar, sonar, lidar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0295 by at least one leading vehicle of the fleet
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads

Abstract

A system and method for cleaning a beach includes a master autonomous vehicle that includes a controller, a camera, a GPS unit, a ranging unit, and a wireless communication unit. The system further includes at least one client autonomous vehicle in wireless communication with and operated by the controller of the master autonomous vehicle and a plurality of beach cleaners attached to the autonomous vehicles. The autonomous vehicles may detect and avoid obstacles on the beach being cleaned and each other.

Claims

1. A system for cleaning a beach, comprising:

a master autonomous vehicle, the master autonomous vehicle comprising;

a controller for operating the master autonomous vehicle;

a camera in communication with the controller for supplying image data to the controller;

a global positioning satellite unit for determining a position of the master autonomous vehicle;

a ranging unit for determining a distance to an obstacle from the master autonomous vehicle in communication with the controller; and

a wireless communication unit;

at least one client autonomous vehicle, the client autonomous vehicle in wireless communication with and operated by the controller of the master autonomous vehicle; and

a plurality of beach cleaners, one of the plurality of beach cleaners each being attached to the master autonomous vehicle and the client autonomous vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the client autonomous vehicle comprises:

a client global positioning satellite unit for determining a position of the client autonomous vehicle; and

a client wireless communication unit for wireless communication with the wireless communication unit of the master autonomous vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the client autonomous vehicle further comprises:

a client controller for controlling the client autonomous vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the client controller is in wireless communication with the controller of the master autonomous vehicle via the wireless communication unit and the client wireless communication unit.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the client autonomous vehicle further comprises:

a client camera in communication with the client controller for supplying image data to the client controller; and

a client ranging unit for determining a distance to the obstacle from the client autonomous vehicle in communication with the client controller.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the image data of the camera comprises an image of the obstacle.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein:

the controller directs the master autonomous vehicle change a course to avoid the obstacle; and

the controller directs the client autonomous vehicle to change a client course to avoid the master autonomous vehicle and the obstacle.

8. The system of claim 1 comprising:

a plurality of client autonomous vehicles.

9. A method of cleaning a beach comprising the steps of:

providing a master autonomous vehicle equipped with a controller, a camera in communication with the controller, a global positioning satellite unit, a ranging unit, a wireless communication unit, and a beach cleaner attached to the master autonomous vehicle;

providing at least one client autonomous vehicle in wireless communication with the master autonomous vehicle and equipped with a client controller, a camera in communication with the client controller, a global positioning satellite unit, a ranging unit, a wireless communication unit, and a beach cleaner attached to the at least one client autonomous vehicle;

detecting an obstacle in front of one of the master autonomous vehicle and the at least one client autonomous vehicle using the cameras and ranging units;

adjusting a master route of the master autonomous vehicle to avoid the obstacle; and

returning the master autonomous vehicle to the master route when the master autonomous vehicle has passed the obstacle.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

adjusting a client route of the client autonomous vehicle to avoid the obstacle and the master autonomous vehicle; and

returning the client autonomous vehicle to the client route when the client autonomous vehicle has passed the obstacle and the master autonomous has returned to the master route.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

mapping a location of the obstacle with the global positioning satellite unit; and

communicating the location of the obstacle to a remote server at a remote location using the wireless communication unit.

12. A method of cleaning a beach comprising the steps of:

providing a master autonomous vehicle equipped with a controller, a camera in communication with the controller, a global positioning satellite unit, a ranging unit, a wireless communication unit, and a beach cleaner attached to the master autonomous vehicle;

selecting a cleaning route for the master autonomous vehicle using the global positioning satellite unit of the master autonomous vehicle; and

cleaning the beach along the cleaning route.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

detecting an obstacle in front of the master autonomous vehicle using the camera and the ranging unit;

adjusting the cleaning route to avoid the obstacle; and

returning to the cleaning route when the master autonomous vehicle has passed the obstacle.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

returning the master autonomous vehicle to a home location when the beach is cleaned.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

providing at least one client autonomous vehicle in wireless communication with the master autonomous vehicle and equipped with a client controller, a camera in communication with the client controller, a global positioning satellite unit, a ranging unit, a wireless communication unit, and a beach cleaner attached to the at least one client autonomous vehicle;

selecting a client cleaning route for the at least one client autonomous vehicle using the global positioning satellite unit of the master autonomous vehicle; and

cleaning the beach along the client cleaning route with the at least one client autonomous vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

detecting an obstacle in front of one of the master autonomous vehicle and the at least one client autonomous vehicle using the cameras and ranging units;

communicating a location of the obstacle between the master autonomous vehicle and the at least one client autonomous vehicle.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

adjusting the cleaning route of the master autonomous vehicle to avoid the obstacle; and

returning the master autonomous vehicle to the cleaning route when the master autonomous vehicle has passed the obstacle.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

adjusting the client cleaning route of the at least one client autonomous vehicle to avoid the obstacle; and

returning the at least one client autonomous vehicle to the client cleaning route when the at least one client autonomous vehicle has passed the obstacle.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of:

returning the at least one client autonomous vehicle to the home location when the beach is cleaned.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:

mapping a location of the obstacle with the global positioning satellite unit; and

communicating the location of the obstacle to a remote server at a remote location using the wireless communication unit.