Automatic Following Vehicle System

The automatic following vehicle system (AFVS) using three combines is presented. In order to save time and labor in farming, the AFVS allows one operator to utilize more than one vehicle simultaneously. In this system a computer-controlled vehicle chases the operator-controlled vehicle. Ultrasonic sensors are used to measure the relative position between vehicles. The sensors were mounted on three head-feeding combines. This paper suggests that the AFVS is adapted to three vehicles. The operator controls basic movements of combines by giving commands (go, stop, turn) to them by SS radio communication. The field experiment in 2000 indicates that this system is useful for harvesting rice crop.