Motion-Coupled Mapping Algorithm for Hybrid Rice Canopy

This paper presents a motion-coupled mapping algorithm for contour mapping of hybrid rice canopies, specifically designed for Agricultural Unmanned Ground Vehicles (Agri-UGV) navigating complex and unknown rice fields. Precise canopy mapping is essential for Agri-UGVs to plan efficient routes and avoid protected zones. The motion control of Agri-UGVs, tasked with impurity removal and other operations, depends heavily on accurate estimation of rice canopy height and structure. To achieve this, the proposed algorithm integrates real-time RGB-D sensor data with kinematic and inertial measurements, enabling efficient mapping and proprioceptive localization. The algorithm produces grid-based elevation maps that reflect the probabilistic distribution of canopy contours, accounting for motion-induced uncertainties. It is implemented on a high-clearance Agri-UGV platform and tested in various environments, including both controlled and dynamic rice field settings. This approach significantly enhances the mapping accuracy and operational reliability of Agri-UGVs, contributing to more efficient autonomous agricultural operations.

@article{feng2025_2502.16134,
  title={ Motion-Coupled Mapping Algorithm for Hybrid Rice Canopy },
  author={ Huaiqu Feng and Guoyang Zhao and Cheng Liu and Yongwei Wang and Jun Wang },
  journal={arXiv preprint arXiv:2502.16134},
  year={ 2025 }
}