Abstract: A system and method for creating 3-dimensional agricultural field scene maps are disclosed comprising producing a pair of images using a stereo camera and creating a disparity image based on the pair of images, the disparity image being a 3-dimensional representation of the stereo images. Coordinate arrays can be produced from the disparity image and the coordinate arrays can be used to render a 3-dimensional local map of the agricultural field scene. Global maps can also be made by using geographic location information associated with various local maps to fuse together multiple local maps into a 3-dimensional global representation of the field scene. The disparity images can be used to analyze a variety of agricultural features.

Abstract: A system and method for creating 3-dimensional agricultural field scene maps are disclosed comprising producing a pair of images using a stereo camera and creating a disparity images based on the pair of images, the disparity image being a 3-dimensional representation of the stereo images. Coordinate arrays can be produced from the disparity image and the coordinate arrays can be used to render a 3-dimensional local map of the agricultural field scene. Global maps can also be made by using geographic location information associated with various local maps to fuse together multiple local maps into a 3-dimensional global representation of the field scene. The disparity images can be used to analyze a variety of agricultural features.

Abstract: A system and method for creating 3-dimensional agricultural field scene maps are disclosed comprising producing a pair of images using a stereo camera and creating a disparity images based on the pair of images, the disparity image being a 3-dimensional representation of the stereo images. Coordinate arrays can be produced from the disparity image and the coordinate arrays can be used to render a 3-dimensional local map of the agricultural field scene. Global maps can also be made by using geographic location information associated with various local maps to fuse together multiple local maps into a 3-dimensional global representation of the field scene.

Abstract: A speed control method of a vehicle including the steps of obtaining a steering angle, a velocity error and a distance error. The velocity and the distance error being determined by mathematical combinations of a GPS position, a required path and speed set points. The steering angle, velocity errors and distance error are applied to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a velocity rule base. An output from the velocity rule base is defuzzified to produce a speed signal.

Abstract: A steering control method including the steps of obtaining a heading error, obtaining a velocity value, obtaining a distance error, applying the heading error and defuzzifying an output from a steering rule base. The velocity value and the distance error are applied along with the heading error to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a steering rule base. An output from the steering rule base is defuzzified to produce a steering signal.

Abstract: A steering control method including the steps of obtaining a heading error, obtaining a velocity value, obtaining a distance error, applying the heading error and defuzzifying an output from a steering rule base. The velocity value and the distance error are applied along with the heading error to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a steering rule base. An output from the steering rule base is defuzzified to produce a steering signal.

Abstract: A steering control method including the steps of obtaining a heading error, obtaining a velocity value, obtaining a distance error, applying the heading error and defuzzifying an output from a steering rule base. The velocity value and the distance error are applied along with the heading error to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a steering rule base. An output from the steering rule base is defuzzified to produce a steering signal.

Abstract: Preliminary guidance data is determined for the vehicle during an evaluation time window. A vision module collects vision data from a vision module during the evaluation time window. Vision guidance data is determined from the collected vision data. A vision quality estimator estimates vision quality data for at least one of the vision data and the vision guidance data during the evaluation time window. The vision quality data is based on a regression path and density grid points. An adjuster adjusts the preliminary guidance data to a revised guidance data based on the vision guidance data such that the revised guidance data is registered with or generally coextensive with the vision guidance data, if the vision quality data exceeds a minimum threshold.

Abstract: A human perception model for a speed control method obtains a steering angle, a velocity error and a distance error. The steering angle and a measure of operator aggressiveness are applied to the model. The output is defuzzified. The steering angle, the velocity error and the distance error are applied to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a velocity rule base. The measure of operator aggressiveness is input to the velocity rule base. The output from the velocity rule base is defuzzified to produce a speed signal.

Abstract: A preliminary guidance data is determined for the vehicle during an evaluation time window. A vision module collects vision data from a vision module during the evaluation time window. Vision guidance data is determined from the collected vision data. A vision quality estimator estimates vision quality data for at least one of the vision data and the vision guidance data during the evaluation time window. The vision quality data is based on a cross correlations and an r-squared value. An adjuster adjusts the preliminary guidance data to a revised guidance data based on the vision guidance data such that the revised guidance data is registered with or generally coextensive with the vision guidance data, if the vision quality data exceeds a minimum threshold.

Abstract: A system and method of guiding a vehicle comprises establishing elevation data and corresponding location data for a work area. A particular location of a vehicle within the work area is determined. Roll data and pitch data are estimated corresponding to the particular location. The vehicle is guided based upon the estimated roll data and the pitch data such that the vehicle follows a desired path.

Abstract: A method and system for guiding a vehicle comprises a location determining receiver for collecting location data for the vehicle. A vision module collects vision data for the vehicle. A location quality estimator estimates the location quality data for the location data during an evaluation time window. A vision module estimates vision quality data for the vision data during the evaluation time window. A supervisor module selects a mixing ratio for the vision data and location data (or error signals associated therewith) based on the quality data.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control method including the steps of obtaining a heading error, obtaining a velocity value, obtaining a distance error, applying the heading error, inputting a measure of operator aggressiveness and defuzzifying an output from a steering rule base. The velocity value and the distance error are applied along with the heading error to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a steering rule base. A measure of the operator aggressiveness is input to the steering rule base. An output from the steering rule base is defuzzified to produce a steering signal.

Abstract: A modular vehicle system comprises an engine unit and an engine management controller associated with the engine unit. A throttle actuator is associated with the engine management controller to control a throttle setting of an engine unit. A mower unit is associated with mower electronics. A blade clutch actuator activates or deactivates a cutting blade of the mower unit. A transmission line supports communications between the engine management controller and the mower electronics to support remote control mowing or unmanned mowing activities.

Abstract: A system and method of guiding a vehicle comprises establishing elevation data and corresponding location data for a work area. A particular location of a vehicle within the work area is determined. Roll data and pitch data are estimated corresponding to the particular location. The vehicle is guided based upon the estimated roll data and the pitch data such that the vehicle follows a desired path.

Abstract: A method and system for guiding a vehicle comprises a location determining receiver for collecting location data for the vehicle. A vision module collects vision data for the vehicle. A location quality estimator estimates the location quality data for the location data during an evaluation time window. A vision module estimates vision quality data for the vision data during the evaluation time window. A supervisor module selects at least one of a location data weight and a vision data weight based on the quality data.

Abstract: A system and method of guiding a vehicle comprises establishing elevation data and corresponding location data for a work area. A particular location of a vehicle within the work area is determined. Roll data and pitch data are estimated corresponding to the particular location. The vehicle is guided based upon the estimated roll data and the pitch data such that the vehicle follows a desired path.

Abstract: An image collection system collects stereo image data comprising left image data and right image data of a particular scene. An estimator estimates a reference three dimensional image density rating for corresponding reference volumetric cell within the particular scene at a reference range from an imaging unit. An image density compensator compensates for the change in image density rating between the reference volumetric cell and an evaluated volumetric cell by using a compensated three dimensional image density rating based on a range or relative displacement between the reference volumetric cell and the evaluated volumetric cell.

Abstract: A modular vehicle system comprises an engine unit and an engine management controller associated with the engine unit. A throttle actuator is associated with the engine management controller to control a throttle setting of an engine unit. A mower unit is associated with mower electronics. A blade clutch actuator activates or deactivates a cutting blade of the mower unit. A transmission line supports communications between the engine management controller and the mower electronics to support remote control mowing or unmanned mowing activities.

Abstract: A human perception model for a vehicle steering control method including the steps of obtaining a heading error, obtaining a velocity value, obtaining a distance error, applying the heading error, inputting a measure of operator aggressiveness and defuzzifying an output from a steering rule base. The velocity value and the distance error are applied along with the heading error to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a steering rule base. A measure of the operator aggressiveness is input to the steering rule base. An output from the steering rule base is defuzzified to produce a steering signal.