Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
b
CMS
Tx
Rx
Implicit communication
Broadcasting
Explicit communication
Point to point
(
momentary
)
Point to multipoint
(
continuous
)
Tx transmit
Rx receive
Grain cart I
Combine
Grain cart II
FIGURE 5.15
Coordinated vehicle operation for accomplishing biomass harvest, accumu-
lation, and transfer operations (leader-follower behavior).
seeded by each vehicle. The CMS receives the data and stores all the data in its data-
base for monitoring and postprocessing.
Currently, several autonomous vehicles development programs are underway tar-
geting various agricultural production sectors. Unfortunately, liability concerns will
stymie the commercialization of these machines, in part because of larger vehicle
size. Until control systems can be perfected and development costs recouped, the
growth in automated field production systems will come in fits and starts.
Parallel to autonomous vehicle development efforts, we will continue to see the
densification of highly precise and accurate radio-navigation facilities along with
the necessary expansion of wireless communications technologies that will facilitate
Internet connectivity and data exchange between manned vehicles, businesses, and
the farm office. Similarly, we will continue see the development of crop and field
condition sensors that will ease the burden for equipment operators while improving
the efficiency and productivity of existing machines.
