A center-pivot irrigation system having mobile towers interconnected by spans actuatable about a center-pivot, constant speed motors for each of the mobile towers, and variable gear ratio transmissions each driven by one of the constant speed motors and each driving one of the mobile towers. The irrigation system may also include a control system sending command signals to the variable gear ratio transmissions, independently increasing or decreasing a speed of the mobile towers via the variable gear ratio transmissions. The irrigation system may also include a sensors for providing alignment information regarding the spans to the control system. The control system may independently command the transmissions to speed up or slow down one of the mobile towers relative to alignment information received from the sensors.

The present invention provides a system and method which includes a machine learning module which analyzes data collected from one or more sources such as UAVs, satellites, span mounted crop sensors, direct soil sensors and climate sensors. According to a further preferred embodiment, the machine learning module preferably creates sets of field objects from within a given field and uses the received data to create a predictive model for each defined field object based on detected characteristics from each field object within the field.

Grass and/or turf growth is impacted by a number of factors both above ground and below ground. For example, soil temperature, nutrient levels, water levels, oxygen, humidity, above ground temperature, wind, and light. With respect to just light, there are a host of factors which can impact everything from root depth to disease resistance of grass/turf. While sunlight and artificial light can produce swards which are suitable for initial use, shade and/or damage can negatively impact portions of grass/turf for which there are no commercially available solutions. Described herein are a method and apparatuses for addressing turf growth and/or repair, and in a manner that minimizes downtime.

Grass and/or turf growth is impacted by a number of factors both above ground and below ground. For example, soil temperature, nutrient levels, water levels, oxygen, humidity, above ground temperature, wind, and light. With respect to just light, there are a host of factors which can impact everything from root depth to disease resistance of grass/turf. While sunlight and artificial light can produce swards which are suitable for initial use, shade and/or damage can negatively impact portions of grass/turf for which there are no commercially available solutions. Described herein are a method and apparatuses for addressing turf growth and/or repair, and in a manner that minimizes downtime.

An automated farming system includes a frame. The frame includes a fixed base, a beam, and a support. A farming implement support extends from the beam and moves up and down in relation to the beam. The farming implement support moves along a length of the beam. The movable support includes a propulsion system and is configured to rotate around the fixed base. Movement of the farming implement support and the movable support allows for high density planting of crops in hexagonal patterns and/or a continuous spiral pattern.

An automated farming system includes a frame. The frame includes a fixed base, a beam, and a support. A farming implement support extends from the beam and moves up and down in relation to the beam. The farming implement support moves along a length of the beam. The movable support includes a propulsion system and is configured to rotate around the fixed base. Movement of the farming implement support and the movable support allows for high density planting of crops in hexagonal patterns and/or a continuous spiral pattern.

An autonomous irrigation apparatus that employs various data from the ambient environment to inform water dispensing functionality to optimize water use has an above-ground, mobile, self-propelled, autonomous water delivery platform (e.g., a water delivery robot) that is connected to a water source from which it is able to draw a continuous supply of water for irrigating residential or commercial landscapes, lawns and/or gardens. The irrigation apparatus has a drive sub-system, an onboard hose and reel system, a water dispenser system, a sensor system, a control system, a user interface system and a power and charging system.

An autonomous irrigation apparatus that employs various data from the ambient environment to inform water dispensing functionality to optimize water use has an above-ground, mobile, self-propelled, autonomous water delivery platform (e.g., a water delivery robot) that is connected to a water source from which it is able to draw a continuous supply of water for irrigating residential or commercial landscapes, lawns and/or gardens. The irrigation apparatus has a drive sub-system, an onboard hose and reel system, a water dispenser system, a sensor system, a control system, a user interface system and a power and charging system.

A method of automatically managing a center pivot irrigation machine comprising steps of: (a) providing at least one center pivot irrigation machine and positioning said center pivot irrigation machine such that said center pivot irrigation machine is movable within an irrigated plot around a center thereof; (b) providing a ground penetration radar; (c) mounting said ground penetration radar on said center pivot irrigation machine; (d) moving said center pivot irrigation machine about said center of said irrigated plot; (e) scanning said irrigated by said ground penetration radar at frequencies ranging between 200-1200 MHz; (f) calculating a distribution of soil moisture over a depth from a soil surface; and (g) creating an irrigation plan according to said distribution.

A system may include sensor equipment, task performance equipment, a yard maintenance manager and a robot. The sensor equipment may include one or more sensors disposed on a parcel of land. The task performance equipment may be configured to perform a task on the parcel. The task may be associated with generating a result that is enabled to be monitored via the sensor equipment. The yard maintenance manager may be configured to interface with the sensor equipment and the task performance equipment to compare measured conditions with desirable conditions to direct operation of the task performance equipment. The robot may be configured to work the parcel and perform at least one of acting as one of the one or more sensors, acting as a device of the task performance equipment, or interacting with the sensor equipment or the task performance equipment.