Autonomous vehicle for ag based operations

Abstract

The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An autonomous, self-controlled agricultural system comprising:
 an agricultural implement capable of (i) travelling through a field through use of a self-propelled drive system and (ii) performing at least one other agricultural operation within said field;   an intelligent control operatively connected to the self propelled drive system and a power supply;   at least one sensor that senses agricultural characteristics and communicate the agricultural data to the intelligent control, wherein the at least one sensor is further capable of determining a position of nearby obstructions and the intelligent control automatically guides the agricultural implement so as to avoid said obstructions;   a global positioning system (GPS) for tracking positioning information in real time; and   a communication system that establishes data communications between the intelligent control, the GPS, and the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The autonomous, self-controlled agricultural system of  claim 1  wherein the power supply comprises a modular motor. 
     
     
         3 . The autonomous, self-controlled agricultural system of  claim 1  wherein the power supply can be recharged at a docking station within the field. 
     
     
         4 . The autonomous, self-controlled agricultural system of  claim 3  further comprising tanks for storing product selected from the group consisting of: (i) propulsion fuel, (ii) seed, (iii) fertilizer, and (iv) insecticide, wherein said tanks can be re-filled with said products at said docking station. 
     
     
         5 . The autonomous, self-controlled agricultural system of  claim 1  further wherein the at least one sensor is one or more components selected from the group consisting of: (i) a camera, (ii) a radar sensor, (iii) a LIDAR sensor, (iv) a heat sensor, (v) a moisture content sensor, (vi) a radio frequency sensor, (vii) a short-range radio, (viii) a long-range radio, and (ix) an antenna. 
     
     
         6 . The autonomous, self-controlled agricultural system of  claim 1  wherein the intelligent control continuously and wirelessly communicates said agricultural data among the autonomous, self controlled agricultural vehicle and another autonomous, self controlled agricultural vehicle or a command center. 
     
     
         7 . The autonomous, self-controlled agricultural system of  claim 1  further comprising an attachment mechanism to attach a tug unit of said agricultural vehicle to said agricultural implement. 
     
     
         8 . The autonomous, self-controlled agricultural system of  claim 7  wherein the attachment mechanism comprises:
 a. an arm; 
 b. a three-point hitch; 
 c. a power takeoff; 
 d. a flatbed; or 
 e. a cable lift. 
 
     
     
         9 . The autonomous, self-controlled agricultural system of  claim 1  further comprising an actuatable system that can, based on the agricultural data communicated, adjust an output force of an actuator which provides weight distribution, down force, and/or folding aspects of at least one agricultural implement. 
     
     
         10 . The autonomous, self-controlled agricultural system of  claim 1  wherein the agricultural characteristics are selected from the group consisting of:
 a. moisture content; 
 b. compaction; 
 c. temperature; 
 d. slope of terrain; 
 e. soil composition; and 
 f. a geopositional location for an agricultural operation. 
 
     
     
         11 . An autonomous frame comprising:
 an agricultural implement operably attached to the autonomous frame;   an autonomous controller;   a self-propelled drive system controlled by the autonomous controller;   wheels or tracks operably connected to the self-propelled drive system;   a platform, said frame being automated through information conveyed from a command center, said command center being selected from the group consisting of (i) a tablet; (ii) a phone; and (iii) a master module.   
     
     
         12 . The autonomous frame of  claim 11  wherein the automatic platform follows harvesters in rows or between rows of fruit and/or vegetables in order to hold harvested fruits and/or vegetables from the harvesters. 
     
     
         13 . The autonomous frame of  claim 11  wherein the agricultural implement is pulled behind the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The autonomous frame of  claim 11  further comprising an automatic platform that is movable with respect to a central location determined by the wheels or tracks. 
     
     
         15 . The autonomous frame of  claim 11  further comprising a sprayer for spraying insecticide, pesticide, or fertilizer applications without a driver present. 
     
     
         16 . An unmanned agricultural vehicle comprising:
 an operable attachment to an agricultural implement selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) a grain cart; (b) a sprayer; (c) a tiller; (d) a planter; and (e) a harvester. 
   a self propelled drive system;   a power supply;   an intelligent control operatively connected to the self propelled drive system and the power supply; and   a location determining system that communicates navigation information to the intelligent control.   
     
     
         17 . The unmanned agricultural vehicle of  claim 16  wherein the location determining system is selected from the group consisting of: (a) GPS, (b) radar, and (c) LIDAR. 
     
     
         18 . The unmanned agricultural vehicle of  claim 16  further comprising cameras which provide operating information to the intelligent control. 
     
     
         19 . The unmanned agricultural vehicle of  claim 18  wherein the operating information is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a connection or disconnection of components of the unmanned agricultural vehicle; (ii) a location for performing an agricultural operation with the agricultural implement; (iii) an orientation of an object for lifting; and (iv) a location of an object or an obstruction. 
     
     
         20 . The unmanned agricultural vehicle of  claim 16  wherein the agricultural vehicle is wirelessly communicates with a command center selected from the group consisting of (i) a tablet; (ii) a phone; and (iii) a master module.