Abstract: A human perception model for a speed control method including the steps of obtaining a steering angle, a velocity error and a distance error. The method further includes the steps of applying the steering angle, inputting a measure of operator aggressiveness and defuzzifying an output. The applying step includes applying the steering angle, the velocity error and the distance error to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a velocity rule base. The inputting step inputs a measure of operator aggressiveness to the velocity rule base. The defuzzifying step defuzzifies an output from the velocity rule base to produce a speed signal.

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 defuzzrfying 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.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an obstacle comprises determining a vegetation height of a vegetation canopy at corresponding coordinates within a field. An object height is detected, where the object height of an object exceeds the vegetation height. A range of the object is estimated. The range of the object may be references to a vehicle location, a reference location, or absolute coordinates. Dimensions associated with the object are estimated. An obstacle avoidance zone is established for the vehicle based on the estimated range and dimensions.

Abstract: A method and system for guiding a-vehicle comprises a location module for collecting location data for the vehicle. A vision module collects vision data for the vehicle. A maximum allowable correction duration and a maximum allowable vision-derived displacement are established for correction of a position of a vehicle. A location quality estimator estimates location quality data for the corresponding collected location data during an evaluation time window. A vision module estimates vision quality data for the corresponding collected vision data during the evaluation time window. A selector selects the application of location data or vision data based on the quality data and at least one of the maximum allowable correction duration and the maximum allowable vision-derived displacement for the evaluation time window or for an application interval trailing the evaluation time window.

Abstract: A method and system for guiding a vehicle comprises a location module (e.g., location-determining receiver) for collecting preliminary location data for the vehicle. A vision module collects vision-derived location data for the vehicle during an evaluation time window. A location quality estimator estimates location quality data for the corresponding collected preliminary location data during an evaluation time window. A vision module estimates vision quality data for the corresponding collected vision-derived location data during the evaluation time window. A adjuster adjusts the preliminary location data to a revised location data based on the vision-derived location data such that the revised location data is registered with or generally coextensive with the vision-derived location data, if the vision quality data exceeds the minimum threshold level.

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 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.

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.