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.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to generating and utilizing three-dimensional terrain maps for vehicular control. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

An autonomous ground maintenance system comprising a vehicle comprising a chassis supported upon a ground surface by ground support members, a container supported by the chassis, the container defining a discharge outlet operable to disperse treating material held within the container to a target area of the ground surface, a gate adapted to selectively open and close the discharge outlet, a sensor adapted to identify the target area, and an electronic controller supported by the chassis, the controller being in communication with the sensor and the gate. The controller is adapted to position the chassis at a location proximate the target area such that the discharge outlet is capable of delivering the treating material to the target area and energize the gate to open the discharge outlet.

Systems and methods for agricultural path planning are described. For example, a method includes accessing a boundary data structure that encodes a polygon on a map; generating a set of parallel line segments of a path for a vehicle on the map inside of the polygon; generating a first line segment of the path connecting an ending-point of one of the line segments of the set to a starting-point of another one of the line segments of the set; identifying a first point on the first line segment that is a maximum distance from the polygon; and splitting the first line segment into two line segments, having a starting-point matching a starting-point of the first line segment and an ending-point matching an ending-point of the first line segment, that connect at a second point on the polygon encoded by the boundary data structure that is closest to the first point.

Compound headers may include two or more crop harvester types that are operable to harvest different crops simultaneously, such as different crops grown in the same field in an intercropped relationship. The simultaneously harvested crops may be separated into individual crop flows that are handled separately from each other.

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.

A method of controlling a work machine on a worksite includes receiving an indication of a work machine assignment having a worksite location and corresponding assignment criteria associated with completion of the work machine assignment, receiving a set of worksite conditions at the location, and identifying a set of machine capabilities, each machine capability corresponding to operation of a controllable subsystem on the work machine. The method includes generating a likelihood metric indicative of a likelihood that the assignment criteria will be met based on the set of worksite conditions and the set of machine capabilities, comparing the likelihood metric to a threshold, and generating a control signal that controls the work machine based on the comparison.

The turning radius of a differentially steered vehicle towing a trailer is controlled when turning so that its turning radius is greater than a minimum allowable turning radius. The turning radius may be autonomously adjusted using a controller to monitor the instantaneous rotational speed differential between the driven wheels and increase or decrease the relative speed between the wheels when the instantaneous rotational speed differential exceeds a threshold rotational speed differential, indicating a turn which is too tight. Alternately, the turning radius may be controlled by the vehicle's operator, who receives a signal from the controller indicating that the vehicle's turning radius is less than the minimum allowable. The operator may then take action to enlarge the turning radius using manual controls.

A device detects a trigger to dispense a product at a using a tool operably coupled to a tractor. The device determines whether the tractor is in an automated mode, the automated mode enabling autonomous speed and direction navigation of the tractor. Responsive to determining that the tractor is not in the automated mode, the device determines whether the tool is in a ready state, and responsive to determining that the tool is in the ready state, commands the tool to dispense the product, wherein the tool is not commanded to dispense the product until the tool is in the ready state. Responsive to determining that the tractor is in the automated mode, the device commands the tool to dispense the product without determining whether the tool is in the ready state.