Introduction
The complex and variable nature of open road environments, along with the challenges of high-speed driving, is the main reason why many companies that have achieved Level 4 autonomous driving technology verification are still unable to commercialize their operations.
So, in what scenarios can existing technologies achieve commercial operations? We believe at least one of the following two conditions must be met: a closed environment or low-speed autonomous driving.
1. Closed Environment
Open road environments require extensive data collection and storage, as well as increase safety hazards. These issues are significantly reduced in closed environments. For example, in scenarios such as mines and warehouses, companies like EasyMile and Hikrobot have already begun to achieve commercial operations with autonomous mining trucks and AGV robots.
Orchards are typically located in remote rural areas, which are spacious and sparsely populated, with only orchard workers present. This makes them a closed environment with minimal safety hazards.
2. Low-Speed Autonomous Driving Scenarios
Safety is crucial for autonomous driving technology. Cars typically travel at speeds ranging from 30-120 km/h, and high-speed driving introduces a series of control challenges and serious safety hazards. Therefore, low-speed driving scenarios are often more suitable for the development of autonomous driving technology. In fields like food delivery robots, commercial robots, and cleaning robots, companies such as Pudu Robotics and Gaussian Robotics have become well-known.
According to Chinese regulations, the speed of tractors must not exceed 30 km/h, with operational speeds generally ranging from 3-7 km/h. Orchard operations are typically low-speed scenarios, with tractor operating speeds usually around 5 km/h. This significantly reduces control difficulties and safety hazards.
Conclusion
Combining the above two conditions, orchard robots operate in a closed orchard environment at low speeds. This fits well with the application scenarios of existing autonomous driving technology, helping to reduce technical challenges and safety hazards, making commercial operations feasible. Therefore, orchard robots are one of the best scenarios for the commercialization of autonomous driving technology.
In our next edition, we will explore other agricultural scenarios to see if they meet the conditions for the application of autonomous driving technology. Stay tuned by following our company account at Lanjiang Technology on LinkedIn.
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