Systems and methods for dispensing an insecticide via unmanned vehicles to defend a crop-containing area against pests

US10577103B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Walmart Apollo, LLC · US

Inventors

• Robert L. Cantrell · Herndon, US
• John P. Thompson · Bentonville, US
• David C. Winkle · Berryville, US
• Michael D. Atchley · Springdale, US
• Donald R. High · Noel, US
• Todd D. Mattingly · Bentonville, US
• Brian G. McHale · Chadderton, GB
• John J. O'Brien · Farmington, US
• John F. Simon · Pembroke Pines, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 7, 2017
• Grant date: Mar 3, 2020
• Expiry date: Feb 12, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64U2101/45
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In some embodiments, methods and systems of dispensing an insecticide to defend a crop-containing area against crop-damaging pests include an unmanned vehicle having a sensor that detects a crop-damaging pest in the crop-containing area and captures pest detection data, and an insecticide output device including at least one insecticide directed at the pest. The unmanned vehicle transmits the captured pest detection data via the network to the computing device and, in response to receipt of the captured pest detection data via the network from the unmanned vehicle, the computing device accesses an electronic database to determine an identity of the at least one pest. Based on the determined identity of the crop-damaging pest, the computing device transmits a control signal to the unmanned vehicle to cause the insecticide output device of the unmanned vehicle to dispense one or more insecticides specific to the identified crop-damaging pest.