Reconfigurable crop scanning system
A scanning system for scanning crops is described, the system being arranged to be mounted to a vehicle and to be traversed along rows of crops, the system including: a carrier which is arranged to be mounted to a vehicle; a number of mountings for attaching items of scanning equipment to the carrier; and wherein at least some of the mountings may be adjusted to allow the scanning system to be reconfigured for use in different scanning scenarios.
1 . A scanning system for scanning crops, the system being arranged to be mounted to a vehicle and to be traversed along rows of crops, the system including:
a carrier which is arranged to be mounted to a vehicle; and
a number of mountings for attaching items of scanning equipment to the carrier;
wherein at least some of the mountings may be adjusted to allow the scanning system to be reconfigured for use in different scanning scenarios;
at least one of the mountings further includes an arm portion;
an item of scanning equipment is positionable at various locations along the length of the arm portion; and
a control system, and wherein the control system adapts the operation of the sensing equipment to suit the different scanning scenarios.
2 . The scanning system according to claim 1 , wherein at least some of the mountings are pivotally adjustable.
3 . The scanning system according to claim 1 , wherein the arm portion is interchangeable with another arm portion of a different length.
4 . The scanning system according to claim 1 , wherein at least some of the mountings may be adjusted by moving them to different locations on the carrier.
5 . The scanning system according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier includes an extension portion and at least some of the mountings are provided on the extension portion.
6 . The scanning system according to claim 5 , wherein the extension portion is deployed by rotating it with respect to the remainder of the carrier.
7 . The scanning system according to claim 5 , wherein the extension portion is deployable to enable items of scanning equipment to be located low to the ground in use.
8 . The scanning system according to claim 1 , wherein the different scanning scenarios include different crop types.
9 . The scanning system according to claim 1 , wherein the different scanning scenarios include different features of interest.
10 . The scanning system according to claim 1 , wherein the control system automatically adapts the operation of the scanning equipment.
11 . The scanning system according to claim 10 , wherein the control system adapts the operation of the scanning equipment based on the geographic location of the scanning system.
12 . The scanning system according to claim 10 , wherein the control system adapts the operation of the scanning equipment based on the current time of year.
13 . The scanning system according to claim 10 , wherein the control system adapts the operation of the scanning equipment based on determining a crop type based on the output of one or more of the items of scanning equipment.
14 . The scanning system according to claim 1 , further including at least one item of scanning equipment which may be any one of a camera, a lighting unit, a global positioning device or a lidar.