Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
(a)
220
200
200
180
160
150
140
100
120
100
50
80
Local cell = 50 mm; Global cell = 250 mm
200
220
240
260
280
300
East (cells)
320
340
360
380
400
(b)
Vine vigor estimate
(%)
18
16
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
14
12
10
8
6
4
Cell size: 2 meters (square)
2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
East (cells)
FIGURE 12.8
Examples of global grids: (a) navigation; (b) vegetative vigor.
the global grid in Figure 12.8b was simpler than the process outlined in Figure 12.7
used to compose Figure 12.8a.
12.5 FUTURE STEPS IN SURROUNDING AWARENESS
The implementation of perception systems with the purpose of endowing agricul-
tural equipment with the capability of being permanently aware of its surround-
ings meets the needs of two basic disciplines: precision farming and agricultural
robotics. Both disciplines are deeply rooted in technological areas such as control
systems, sensors, electronics, computers, and information technology. As a result,
the development of intelligent vehicles with sophisticated perception systems that
grant awareness has mainly been the work of researchers and engineers, most of
them at a doctorate level. However, the end users of this equipment will generally be
farmers and machine operators who possess neither the time nor the knowledge to
manipulate highly complex applications unless solutions are well adjusted to their
