Abstract: An agitator, a planting system including the agitator, and methods of using the agitator to agitate seeds in a hopper, are described. The agitator can be mounted within the hopper of the planting system. The hopper can be transported by an unmanned aerial vehicle to spread the seeds over a geography. The agitator can include one or more arms that oscillate through a sweep angle to move one or more paddles through the seeds. An outlet of the hopper can be within the sweep angle such that the arms and paddles sweep seeds into the outlet as the arms oscillate within the hopper. The sweep angle can vary over time by incrementally increasing the sweep angle during several stages. The varying sweep angle maintains consistent seed mixing and spreading over time. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques, including systems and methods, for planting using planting pods. A planting system can be configured to deliver pods including a payload (e.g., seeds, cuttings, or other planting materials) into or onto the ground at a predetermined location. In some embodiments, the automated planting system can include a mapping system that receives various sensor inputs and generates a map of a planting area. A pod planting system may use the map of the planting area to deliver pods to the planting area. The pod planting system may be executed automatically using the maps generated by the mapping system and/or manually by a remote operator. Each pod can include a payload to be planted on or in the ground by the pod planting system. Pods may be customized depending on the types of plants being planted, the terrain, prior planting results, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques, including systems and methods, for planting using planting pods. A planting system can be configured to deliver pods including a payload (e.g., seeds, cuttings, or other planting materials) into or onto the ground at a predetermined location. In some embodiments, the automated planting system can include a mapping system that receives various sensor inputs and generates a map of a planting area. A pod planting system may use the map of the planting area to deliver pods to the planting area. The pod planting system may be executed automatically using the maps generated by the mapping system and/or manually by a remote operator. Each pod can include a payload to be planted on or in the ground by the pod planting system. Pods may be customized depending on the types of plants being planted, the terrain, prior planting results, etc.

Abstract: An agitator, a planting system including the agitator, and methods of using the agitator to agitate seeds in a hopper, are described. The agitator can be mounted within the hopper of the planting system. The hopper can be transported by an unmanned aerial vehicle to spread the seeds over a geography. The agitator can include one or more arms that oscillate through a sweep angle to move one or more paddles through the seeds. An outlet of the hopper can be within the sweep angle such that the arms and paddles sweep seeds into the outlet as the arms oscillate within the hopper. The sweep angle can vary over time by incrementally increasing the sweep angle during several stages. The varying sweep angle maintains consistent seed mixing and spreading over time. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.