Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Autonomous Drone Farming: Steep Terrain Innovation

Publication ID: 24-11856882_0001_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Autonomous Drone Farming: Steep Terrain Innovation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856882_0001_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856882_0001_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,882.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed an autonomous robot system for steep terrain farming, which, although innovative, had limitations in terms of drone stability, route planning, and maintenance. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing adjustable wheelbase drones, optimized route planning, modular drone design, interconnected drone networks, and real-time monitoring and control.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present invention's novel features include the adjustable wheelbase drones, optimized route planning, modular drone design, interconnected drone networks, and real-time monitoring and control. These features provide a non-obvious improvement over the original patent, enabling more efficient, adaptable, and reliable steep terrain farming operations.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include the use of different types of drones, such as quadcopters or hexacopters, or the integration of additional sensors or tools to enhance farming operations. Variations of the invention could also include the application of the system to other types of terrain or environments, such as rugged or mountainous regions.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced autonomous robot system has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly in regions with steep terrain that are difficult to farm using traditional methods. The system's ability to increase crop yields, reduce downtime, and improve efficiency could lead to increased adoption and revenue growth in the market.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01B69/008
B B64 B64C39/02
G G01 G01C21/3461
G G01 G01C21/3469
G G05 G05D1/101
G G05 G05D2201/0201

Field of Art

Agricultural robotics and autonomous systems for terrain navigation, specifically focused on steep terrain farming operations involving ground-based drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A robotics engineer or agricultural systems designer with expertise in autonomous vehicle design, terrain mapping, machine learning, modular robotics, and agricultural operations, typically holding a master's or PhD in robotics, mechanical engineering, or agricultural engineering

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the source patent's autonomous farming robot system. The disclosed modifications leverage known techniques in robotics, sensor integration, and machine learning to enhance terrain adaptability and operational efficiency. These variations represent incremental advancements that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize steep terrain farming technologies.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Ground-based drones performing farming operations on steep terrain with grades of at least 10%
PTD Variation
Drones with adjustable wheelbase for improved stability across varying terrain slopes
Obviousness Reasoning
Wheelbase adjustment is a known technique for improving vehicle stability, and a PHOSITA would recognize this as a predictable solution to terrain navigation challenges
Source Patent Element
Autonomous farming system with multiple drones
PTD Variation
Interconnected drone network that dynamically reconfigures to adapt to changing terrain conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Network reconfiguration is a standard approach in multi-agent robotic systems, representing an obvious extension of existing autonomous system design principles
Source Patent Element
Drone servicing methods including battery replacement and refueling
PTD Variation
Modular drone design allowing rapid replacement of worn or damaged components
Obviousness Reasoning
Modular design is a well-established engineering approach for improving maintenance efficiency, representing a known technique for system optimization
Source Patent Element
Autonomous farming system using ground-based and aerial vehicles
PTD Variation
Real-time monitoring using machine learning algorithms and sensor data to predict equipment failures and optimize crop yields
Obviousness Reasoning
Machine learning for predictive maintenance and optimization is a standard technique in autonomous systems, representing a predictable application of existing technological capabilities
Source Patent Element
Autonomous farming operations on steep terrain
PTD Variation
Route planning optimization using real-time terrain data and drone performance metrics
Obviousness Reasoning
Algorithmic route optimization is a known technique in robotics, representing a straightforward application of existing navigation and efficiency improvement strategies
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856882 and the disclosed technical variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed innovations obvious and therefore unpatentable. The presented modifications represent predictable engineering solutions that would be readily apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to enhance autonomous steep terrain farming technologies, thus rendering any substantially similar claims obvious under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,882
TitleAutonomous robot system for steep terrain farming operations
Assignee(s)Kansas Stte University Research Foundation