Efficient searching for grain storage container by combine robot

Abstract

In this study, a combine robot was equipped with an autonomous grain container searching function. In order to realize automated grain unloading, the combine robot has to search and identify the grain storage container in an outdoor environment. A planar board was attached to the container. The marker was searched for using a camera mounted on the unloading auger of the combine. An efficient marker searching procedure was proposed on the basis of a numerical analysis of the camera’s field of view and was verified experimentally. The results showed that the combine robot efficiently searched for and detected the marker and positioned its spout at the target point over the container to unload the grain.