A crop detection system and method of using the same includes a machine vision system mounted to a mobile vehicle. The machine vision system includes an information capturing device connected to a computer having a processor and memory. The memory includes stored crop and field information. Positioning members are mounted to an extend forward of the mobile structure. The information capturing device includes a camera, a sensor, a transceiver and/or a stereo sensor configuration and is positioned to sense the presence, size, location and orientation of characteristics of a crop.

A computer-implemented method, related system, and computer program product are provided for controlling an agricultural tool towed by a pivotally attached vehicle. A computer stores a model of the position and heading of the tool and the vehicle. The computer determines a velocity and turn rate of the vehicle based on position data from a first GPS receiver attached to the vehicle. The computer calculates the modeled position of the vehicle and the tool at a future time based on the velocity and turn rate of the vehicle. The computer also corrects the modeled position and heading of the vehicle and tool, based on position data from the first GPS receiver, and from a second GPS receiver attached to the tool, respectively. The computer generates a control signal to control an actuator associated with the tool based on the modeled position of the tool at the future time.

The present invention provides an autonomous traveling work machine that can accurately receive positioning signals from navigation satellites and autonomously travel without deviating from a traveling path, even in the case of an inclined slope. The autonomous traveling work machine includes a traveling machine body, a positioning receiver that receives positioning signals from navigation satellites, an autonomous traveling control device that performs control for autonomous traveling along traveling paths based on the positioning signals, an inclination detection unit that detects the inclination of the traveling machine body and outputs inclination angle information, an inclination angle determination unit that determines an inclination angle based on the inclination angle information, and a rotation control mechanism that rotates the positioning receiver with one or more degrees of freedom. The rotation control mechanism keeps the positioning receiver horizontal based on the inclination angle.

A self-propelled agricultural work machine comprising: an energy source; a ground engaging element configured with a drive train, the ground engaging element further configured to be driven in a normal operating mode by at least one of the energy source and drive train; a carrying frame supported on the ground engaging element; and a control unit in communication with an actuator associated with the agricultural work machine and the ground engaging element, the control unit configured to transmit signals so as to specify a steering angle of the ground engaging element and, in the event of a failure of at least one of the energy source or the drive train, the control unit configured to operate in a towing mode in which the control unit controls the actuator based on the signals from a sensor so as to detect the angle between a tow bar, a towing vehicle and the agricultural work machine that is being towed by the towing vehicle.

Disclosed here are methods and systems for automatically operating automated vehicles moving through vegetation obstacles with minimal damage, comprising receiving image(s) depicting vegetation obstacle(s) blocking at least partially a path of an automated vehicle executing a mission, analyzing the image(s) to extract one or more obstacle attributes of the vegetation obstacle(s), computing a plurality of movement patterns for operating the automated to cross the vegetation obstacle(s) based on one or more vehicle attributes of the automated vehicle with respect to one or more of the obstacle attributes where each movement pattern defines one or more movement parameters of the automated vehicle, selecting one of the movement patterns estimated to reduce a cost of damage to the automated vehicle and/or to the one or more vegetation obstacles, and outputting instructions for operating the automated vehicle to move through the vegetation obstacle(s) according to the selected movement pattern.

The calibration system of the farming machine receives images from each camera of the camera array. The images comprise visual information representing a view of a portion of an area surrounding the farming machine. To calibrate a pair of cameras including a first camera and second camera, the calibration system determines a relative pose between the pair of cameras by extracting relative position and orientation characteristics from visual information in both an image received from the first camera and an image received from the second camera. The calibration system identifies a calibration error for the pair of cameras based on a comparison of the relative pose with an expected pose between the first pair of cameras. The calibration system transmits a notification to an operator of the farming machine that describes the calibration error and instructions for remedying the calibration error.

A device detects a trigger to dispense a product at a dispense point using a tool operably coupled to a tractor. In response to detecting the trigger, the device determines a delay time between commanding the tool to dispense the product and the product actually being dispensed, and determines a release point based on operating parameters of the tractor, the release point being a point at which the tractor is predicted to be an amount of time away from the dispense point equal to the delay time. The device determines that the tractor has reached the release point, and commands the tool to dispense the product, where the product reaches the dispense point based on the delay time.

A system and a method are disclosed for determining a heading of a vehicle and a heading of an implement of a farming machine when the farming machine is stationary or moving at a speed below a threshold speed. The vehicle and the heading are attached together via a pivot hitch. A farming machine management system receives coordinates from a first location sensor coupled to the vehicle and a second location sensor coupled to the implement. The farming machine management system determines intersection points between a first circle centered at the first location sensor and a second circle centered at the second location sensor. The farming machine management system selects one of the intersection points based on an output of a machine learning model. The farming machine management system determines the headings of the vehicle and the implement and generates instructions for operating the farming machine based on the headings.

A farming system includes a field engagement unit. The field engagement unit includes a support assembly. The support assembly includes one or more work tool rail assemblies. The field engagement unit additionally includes one or more propulsion units which provide omnidirectional control of the field engagement unit. The field engagement unit additionally includes one or more work tool assemblies. The one or more work tool assemblies are actuatable along the one or more work tool rail assemblies. The farming system additionally includes a local controller. The local controller includes one or more processors configured to execute a set of program instructions stored in memory. The program instructions are configured to cause the one or more processors to control one or more components of the field engagement unit.

A farming system includes a field engagement unit. The field engagement unit includes a support assembly. The support assembly includes one or more work tool rail assemblies. The field engagement unit additionally includes one or more propulsion units which provide omnidirectional control of the field engagement unit. The field engagement unit additionally includes one or more work tool assemblies. The one or more work tool assemblies are actuatable along the one or more work tool rail assemblies. The farming system additionally includes a local controller. The local controller includes one or more processors configured to execute a set of program instructions stored in memory. The program instructions are configured to cause the one or more processors to control one or more components of the field engagement unit.