Abstract: An autonomous farming system (26) comprising one or more ground-based drones (10) and one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (12), whose routes through a field are optimized by an autonomous farming control system (30) that utilizes linearly constrained integer quadratic programming. The farming system (26) is particularly suited for farming steep terrain that is not accessible to conventional farming equipment.

Abstract: A system for measuring real-time seed placement of seeds, such as corn seeds, during planting is provided. In certain embodiments, the sensing and measurement (SAM) system comprises various elements selected from the group consisting of a high-speed camera, light-section sensor, potentiometer, GPS unit, data acquisition system, and a control computer. The SAM system measures seeding depth, seed spacing, and geo-location of the seed. It is mounted on a planter row unit located in between the closing wheels and the gauge wheels with the camera and light section sensor directly facing the furrow.

Abstract: An autonomous farming system (26) comprising one or more ground-based drones (10) and one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (12), whose routes through a field are optimized by an autonomous farming control system (30) that utilizes linearly constrained integer quadratic programming. The farming system (26) is particularly suited for farming steep terrain that is not accessible to conventional farming equipment.