Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Autonomous Steep Terrain Farming Robot System

Publication ID: 24-11856882_0006_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Autonomous Steep Terrain Farming Robot System,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856882_0006_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856882_0006_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, but it had limitations in terms of drone traction, stability, and operational efficiency. The new invention addresses these limitations by introducing advanced propulsion systems, optimized route planning, and real-time crop monitoring, enabling more efficient and productive farming operations on challenging terrain.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel and non-obvious improvements to the original patent, including the terrain-adaptive propulsion system, optimized route planning, and real-time crop monitoring. These advancements provide a significant increase in efficiency, productivity, and crop yields, while reducing operational downtime and costs.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include the use of different types of propulsion systems, such as hybrid electric-gasoline engines or advanced wheel designs. The system could also be adapted for use in other industries, such as search and rescue, environmental monitoring, or infrastructure inspection.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced autonomous robot system has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly for farmers and farm managers operating on steep terrain. The system's ability to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance crop yields makes it an attractive solution for improving agricultural productivity and sustainability.

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-adaptive farming operations, involving drone technologies, machine learning, sensor integration, and precision agriculture

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with expertise in robotics, agricultural engineering, and autonomous systems, familiar with drone technologies, machine learning algorithms, sensor integration, and terrain navigation techniques

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's autonomous farming robot system, applying known techniques in drone navigation, machine learning, and sensor integration to improve steep terrain agricultural operations. The disclosed improvements follow standard engineering problem-solving approaches by addressing known challenges in robotic farming systems. The technical solutions represent incremental advancements that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize autonomous agricultural robotics.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Ground-based drones for farming operations on steep terrain
PTD Variation
Terrain-adaptive propulsion system with variable-pitch rotor and real-time terrain mapping
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize that enhancing drone stability through adaptive propulsion is a predictable solution to terrain navigation challenges, using known sensor and mechanical design techniques
Source Patent Element
Autonomous robot system for agricultural operations
PTD Variation
Machine learning algorithms for optimizing drone deployment and route planning
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying machine learning to route optimization is a standard engineering approach for improving autonomous system efficiency, representing a known technique in robotics and agricultural technology
Source Patent Element
Unmanned aerial vehicles for farming operations
PTD Variation
Integrated sensor network for real-time crop monitoring and yield prediction
Obviousness Reasoning
Expanding drone capabilities to include comprehensive crop monitoring is an obvious extension of existing agricultural sensing technologies, utilizing standard data collection and analytics techniques
Source Patent Element
Autonomous farming robots capable of servicing multiple operational requirements
PTD Variation
Fleet management system to optimize drone routes and reduce operational downtime
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing centralized fleet management represents a predictable solution for coordinating multiple autonomous agricultural robots, using known system integration and optimization techniques
Source Patent Element
Ground-based and aerial drones for steep terrain farming
PTD Variation
Hybrid propulsion systems and cross-industry adaptation for alternative applications
Obviousness Reasoning
Exploring alternative propulsion technologies and cross-industry applications is a standard engineering approach for expanding technological capabilities, representing a predictable design exploration
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 lacking inventive merit. The published technical disclosure demonstrates that the claimed improvements represent predictable combinations of known techniques in autonomous robotic systems, sensor integration, and agricultural technology, thereby rendering subsequent 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