Abstract: A planning system (201) for scheduling the operation of autonomous entities within a defined geographical region. The planning system operates at a region plan level (301) for strategic planning across the geographical region, at an operation plan level (302) for operations to be performed by autonomous entities in localized zones having operation-defined geographical boundaries, and at a task plan level (303) in which processing is undertaken in respect of specific tasks to be performed by the autonomous entities, in undertaking the operations.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for effecting autonomous operations within a defined geographical region (1110). A plurality of localized zones (1102, 1104, 1106, 1108) having operation-defined geographical boundaries are specified within the region. A plurality of control modules are established associated with respective ones of the localized zones and autonomous operations are effected under the supervisory control of the control module associated with the localized zone in which the autonomous operation occurs. The geographical disposition of the boundary of at least one of the localized zones is varied within the defined geographical region.

Abstract: Autonomous operations are conducted within a defined geographical region. In an autonomous system of a management party a plurality of localized zones are established having operation-defined geographical boundaries within the geographical region. Entities having autonomous operating systems to perform specific autonomous operations within respective ones of the localized zones. The autonomous system of the management party is integrated with the autonomous operating systems of the entities.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for generating a data representation of a geographical region as an adjunct to conducting autonomous operations within the region. The method comprises receiving information specifying a plurality of localized caused zones having operation-defined geographical boundaries within the region; receiving heterogeneous data descriptive of the region; associating the received data with respective localized zones; fusing the received data associated with the localized zones into data representations of the localized zones; and integrating the data representations of the localized zones into a common data representation of the geographical region.

Abstract: A hierarchical control system (203) for supervising operations of an autonomous operator located within a defined geographical region containing a localized zone having an operation-defined boundary. The control system (203) has a primary controller (604) associated with the defined geographical region and a secondary controller (605) associated with the localized zone. The secondary controller (605) is responsive to the supervisory control of the primary controller (604). The autonomous operator, if located within the localized zone, is responsive to the supervisory control of the secondary controller (605).

Abstract: A method is described of regulating movement of an autonomous entity between a first zone (904) and a second zone (901), wherein the first and second zones each have an operation-defined geographical boundary within a defined geographical region. The autonomous entity is instructed to move into a transition zone (906, 907) that spans the first zone and the second zone, wherein the autonomous entity while located in the first zone is responsive to supervisory control of a first controller (912) associated with the first zone. The autonomous entity is registered with a second controller (910) associated with the second zone to enable the autonomous entity to respond to supervisory control of the second controller as the autonomous entity enters the second zone through the transition zone. The autonomous entity is de-registered from the first controller.

Abstract: A method is described of regulating movement of an autonomous entity between a first zone (904) and a second zone (901), wherein the first and second zones each have an operation-defined geographical boundary within a defined geographical region. The autonomous entity is instructed to move into a transition zone (906, 907) that spans the first zone and the second zone, wherein the autonomous entity while located in the first zone is responsive to supervisory control of a first controller (912) associated with the first zone. The autonomous entity is registered with a second controller (910) associated with the second zone to enable the autonomous entity to respond to supervisory control of the second controller as the autonomous entity enters the second zone through the transition zone. The autonomous entity is de-registered from the first controller.

Abstract: Autonomous operations are conducted within a defined geographical region. In an autonomous system of a management party a plurality of localised zones are established having operation-defined geographical boundaries within the geographical region. Entities having autonomous operating systems to perform specific autonomous operations within respective ones of the localised zones. The autonomous system of the management party is integrated with the autonomous operating systems of the entities.

Abstract: A hierarchical control system (203) for supervising operations of an autonomous operator located within a defined geographical region containing a localised zone having an operation-defined boundary. The control system (203) has a primary controller (604) associated with the defined geographical region and a secondary controller (605) associated with the localised zone. The secondary controller (605) is responsive to the supervisory control of the primary controller (604). The autonomous operator, if located within the localised zone, is responsive to the supervisory control of the secondary controller (605).

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for generating a data representation of a geographical region as an adjunct to conducting autonomous operations within the region. The method comprises receiving information specifying a plurality of localised caused zones having operation-defined geographical boundaries within the region; receiving heterogeneous data descriptive of the region; associating the received data with respective localised zones; fusing the received data associated with the localised zones into data representations of the localised zones; and integrating the data representations of the localised zones into a common data representation of the geographical region.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for effecting autonomous operations within a defined geographical region (1110). A plurality of localised zones (1102, 1104, 1106, 1108) having operation-defined geographical boundaries are specified within the region. A plurality of control modules are established associated with respective ones of the localised zones and autonomous operations are effected under the supervisory control of the control module associated with the localised zone in which the autonomous operation occurs. The geographical disposition of the boundary of at least one of the localised zones is varied within the defined geographical region.

Abstract: A planning system (201) for scheduling the operation of autonomous entities within a defined geographical region. The planning system operates at a region plan level (301) for strategic planning across the geographical region, at an operation plan level (302) for operations to be performed by autonomous entities in localised zones having operation-defined geographical boundaries, and at a task plan level (303) in which processing is undertaken in respect of specific tasks to be performed by the autonomous entities, in undertaking the operations.