Abstract: A self-propelled harvester is provided with apparatus for tracking a crop line and steering the harvester along the crop line without operator assistance. The apparatus includes a video camera for viewing the landscape in front of the harvester and forming an image which may be electronically scanned pixel-by-pixel and line by line to produce a video signal containing information regarding the spectral characteristics of the image at each pixel. A microprocessor is programmed to act as a discriminator and a segmentor. The discriminator produces discriminant signals D(i,j) where i is the magnitude of a discriminant function and j is the relative position of a pixel on a scan line. The segmentor determines a step function which best fits the magnitudes of the discriminant signals for one scan line. The pixel position j.sub.n corresponding to the step of this step function is taken as a vote on the location of the crop line and thus a vote on the direction the harvester should be steered.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a robot for moving along uneven terrain. The robot comprises a body having an opening through which a leg can pass. There is also a device for moving the body. The moving device includes at least 3 legs, at least one of which can exhibit an overlapping gait with respect to another leg. The robot is also comprised of a device for controlling the moving device such that the body moves along the terrain in a desired path. In an alternative embodiment, the moving device includes legs, each of which can exhibit an overlapping gait with respect to another leg while moving the body. In a preferred embodiment, each leg is comprised of a shoulder that is rotatable in a .theta. direction. Each leg is also comprised of a pedestal which has an axis that is disposed in essentially a z direction, where the z direction is perpendicular to the .theta. direction.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a robot for moving along uneven terrain. The robot comprises a body having an exterior surface and a device for defining the terrain around the body. There is also a device for moving the body. The moving device includes legs, at least one of which are capable of being independently positioned adjacent to any portion of the exterior surface of the body. The robot is also comprised of a device for controlling the moving device. The controlling device is connected to the defining device such that the body moves along the terrain in a desired path. In an alternative embodiment, the moving device includes legs, each of which can exhibit an overlapping gait with respect to another leg while moving the body. In a preferred embodiment, each leg is comprised of a shoulder that is rotatable in a angular direction. Each leg is also comprised of a pedestal which has an axis that is disposed in essentially a z direction, where the z direction is perpendicular to the angular direction.