An automated planter device for planting seedlings in an obstacle-strewn and/or uneven terrain. A laterally extendable boom is provided at the end of a vertically-moveable arm, which arm may also be swung from side to side. The boom has a plurality of spaced-apart seedling injectors thereon for planting seedlings. Advantageously, due to variably adjustable positioning of the seedling injectors on the boom, obstacles encountered such as tree stumps or medium sized rocks capable of being traversed but which otherwise create an obstacle to a typical seedling planter, may be avoided. The seedling injectors are each coupled via vacuum hoses to a bin mounted on the planter, which vacuum hoses supply seedlings from the bin to the injectors. A powered gantry at the rear of the planter unloads the bin from the planter when empty, and engages and lifts a re-stocked bin containing additional seedlings onto the rear of the device.

Technologies and techniques that reduce cost and time for propagation, transplantation and harvesting of Vetiver Grass for multiple applications. Tools, equipment, systems and processes to propagate, transplant and harvest Vetiver Grass that will promote the rapid implementation of sustainable, large-scale Vetiver plantations in wealthy and impoverished countries alike.

An apparatus useful in the transplantation of plants. The apparatus for transplanting plants comprises a transplanting module configured to transplant a plurality of plants in a row.

A field planting system for planting seeds of at least two plant genotypes in a field includes a multi-variety planter operable to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field. The field planting system also includes a controller in operable communication with the multi-variety planter. The controller is configured to receive georeferenced field information for the field and plant information for the at least two plant genotypes, and generate a planting map for the field based on the georeferenced field information and the plant information, the planting map including a planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes. The controller is further configured to monitor a location of the multi-variety planter in the field, and control the multi-variety planter to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field according to the planting map.

A field planting system for planting seeds of at least two plant genotypes in a field includes a multi-variety planter operable to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field. The field planting system also includes a controller in operable communication with the multi-variety planter. The controller is configured to receive georeferenced field information for the field and plant information for the at least two plant genotypes, and generate a planting map for the field based on the georeferenced field information and the plant information, the planting map including a planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes. The controller is further configured to monitor a location of the multi-variety planter in the field, and control the multi-variety planter to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field according to the planting map.

A planter for planting seeds in the ground including a seed meter configured to provide a regulated flow of seeds, and a seed conduit defining a first portion of a flow path configured to transport the seeds from the seed meter towards the ground. The planter also includes a seed guide having an aperture in fluid communication with the seed conduit, the seed guide defining a second portion of the flow path configured to transport the seeds from the seed conduit towards the ground, and a shaft configured to reciprocate with respect to the seed guide through a stroke path towards and away from the ground. The shaft is configured to create a discrete hole in the ground for one of the seeds. A side of the shaft is configured to inhibit the one of the seeds from entering the second portion of the flow path until the shaft retracts past the aperture.

A vehicle-assistance system for classifying objects in a vehicle's surroundings. The system includes: at least one memory configured to store classification information for classifying a plurality of objects; and at least one processor configured to receive a plurality of detection results associated with light detection and ranging system (LIDAR) detection results, each detection result including location information, and further information indicative of at least two of the following detection characteristics: object surface reflectivity; temporal spreading of signal reflected from the object; object surface physical composition; ambient illumination measured at a LIDAR dead time; difference in detection information from a previous frame; and confidence level associated with another detection characteristic. The at least one processor is also configured to: access the classification information; and based on the classification information and the detection results, classify an object in the vehicle's surroundings.

A vehicle-assistance system for classifying objects in a vehicle's surroundings. The system includes: at least one memory configured to store classification information for classifying a plurality of objects; and at least one processor configured to receive a plurality of detection results associated with light detection and ranging system (LIDAR) detection results, each detection result including location information, and further information indicative of at least two of the following detection characteristics: object surface reflectivity; temporal spreading of signal reflected from the object; object surface physical composition; ambient illumination measured at a LIDAR dead time; difference in detection information from a previous frame; and confidence level associated with another detection characteristic. The at least one processor is also configured to: access the classification information; and based on the classification information and the detection results, classify an object in the vehicle's surroundings.

A method and system for planting seedlings including a seedling handling system, a seedling chute system and a planting head. The seedling handling system retrieves the seedlings and then the seedling chute system transfers the seedlings from the seedling handling system to the planting head which then plants the seedlings. The method includes retrieving a row of seedlings and then delivering the row of seedlings to the planting head for individual planting of the seedlings. The method and system provide for continuous tree planting.

A method and system for planting seedlings including a seedling handling system, a seedling chute system and a planting head. The seedling handling system retrieves the seedlings and then the seedling chute system transfers the seedlings from the seedling handling system to the planting head which then plants the seedlings. The method includes retrieving a row of seedlings and then delivering the row of seedlings to the planting head for individual planting of the seedlings. The method and system provide for continuous tree planting.