Tactile Sensing & Visually-Impaired Navigation in Densely Planted Row Crops, for Precision Fertilization by Small UGVs

• Invented novel tactile sensor to detect and map corn stalks via contact forces. • A state-machine detects 97 % of stalks to < 4 cm error from real-time sensor data. • Modified A* and pure pursuit enable novel, tactile-based autonomy for blind UGVs. • Results show robust navigation in occluding cornfields, without relying on cameras. • Prototype UGV navigated > 100 m in simulations and > 30 m in real cornfields. Navigating outdoor agricultural environments with cameras or ranging sensors is challenging due to sensor occlusion, lighting variability, and dense vegetation, particularly in tightly-spaced row crops. These environments present visually similar surfaces, making it difficult for vision-based systems to distinguish between rigid obstacles and flexible, traversable objects like weeds. As plant density increases, the margin of error narrows, limiting the effectiveness of traditional visual sensing. To overcome these challenges, we present a novel tactile-based perception system for autonomous navigation without any form of remote sensing. The system uses a mechanical feeler with rotary encoders to detect and map rigid obstacles, such as corn stalks, while filtering out flexible features like leaves and weeds. Through real-time classification of sensor deflections, the system achieves approximately 97 % accuracy in detecting obstacles and global positioning accuracy within 4 cm of a plant’s true location. The tactile sensor system, alongside blind-adapted path-planning (A*) and path-following (pure pursuit) algorithms, further allow an unmanned ground vehicle to autonomously navigate cornfields. Prototype sensors and the navigation method were tested in simulation, a controlled real-world environment, and a mature, unmanicured cornfield, demonstrating autonomous capabilities of > 100 m in simulated and > 30 m in real-world cornfields, prior to needing intervention. The tactile system overcomes row curvature, planting gaps, dense weeds, and canopy variability—without relying on vision or ranging sensors. With additional refinement, visual and tactile sensing modalities may be combined for more reliable obstacle detection and navigation for small robots operating in visually-occluded agricultural environments.