AgSense Integration

Connect your AgSense account to visualize irrigation pivots on the map and increase the safety of your autonomous field operations.

The AgSense integration with vMC enables Steward™ customers to utilize irrigation pivot status to inform autonomous field operations and increase safety. This article guides you through accessing the AgSense integration page, connecting an AgSense account, visualizing irrigation systems on the map, and enabling our pivot safety system to ensure safe autonomous field operations on irrigated fields.

 

Accessing the AgSense Integration

1. Navigate to Settings: Start by logging into your dashboard and going to the settings page.
2. Open the Integrations tab: Click on the "Integrations" tab within the settings menu.
3. Select the AgSense panel: Find and click on the "AgSense" integration panel to access the dedicated AgSense integration page.

Connecting an AgSense Account

1. Add Connection: On the AgSense integration page, click the "Add Connection" button.
2. Enter Account Details: Input the friendly name, username, and password for your AgSense account.
3. Save Connection: Press "Save" to complete the setup. You should receive a notification confirming that your AgSense account is successfully connected.

Disconnecting an AgSense Account

1. Navigate to AgSense Page: Go to the AgSense integration page where your connections are listed.
2. Disconnect Account: Click the trash button next to the AgSense account you wish to disconnect.
3. Confirmation: After disconnecting, the account and its corresponding irrigation systems will be removed from your view, and you should see a confirmation on the page.

 

Accessing Pivot Status & Information

There are two ways to access status information about the pivots coming from your connected AgSense accounts, via the settings and via the map.

Viewing Irrigation Pivot Status in Settings

1. Access the AgSense Page: Ensure you are on the AgSense integration page with established AgSense connections.
2. View Irrigation Systems: The page will display a list of all connected irrigation systems along with details such as:
   • Irrigation System Name
   • AgSense Account Friendly Name
   • Irrigation System Power Status
   • Irrigation System Current Angle (in degrees)
   • Irrigation System Direction of Movement
   • Irrigation System SIS Angle (in degrees)
   • Irrigation System Last Updated Timestamp

Visualizing Irrigation Pivots on Maps

• Fields View: When viewing all your fields on the map, any field with an AgSense connected irrigation system will show the system visualized on the map.
• Coverage Planner: In the coverage planner, if you have AgSense connections, irrigation systems in the respective fields will be visible on the map.
• Mission Planner: Similarly, in the mission planner, connected irrigation systems will be displayed on the map for fields with AgSense connections.
• Single Vehicle: Connected irrigation systems will be displayed on the map when the vehicle is navigating missions.

 

Using the Pivot Safety System

The Pivot Safety System is a crucial feature designed to ensure safety when performing autonomous field operations in fields with irrigation pivots. There are three modes of the safety system: Off, Strict and Proximity.

Strict Mode:

By monitoring the position of the pivot arm relative to predetermined safe angles, the system ensures that Steward™ systems navigate only when the pivot poses no risk of interference. Strict mode focuses on three critical angles:

• Min Angle: The initial position from which the pivot arm begins its rotation.
• Max Angle: The final position where the pivot arm ends its rotation.
• Stop in Slot (SIS) Angle: A designated safe location within the field for the pivot arm to park. This position is set to avoid obstructing field operations.

The safety mechanism allows navigation of Steward™ systems within the field when the pivot arm is positioned within ±2 degrees of any of these angles. If a vehicle is operating in a field where the irrigation pivot is ON or the pivot arm is not within ±2 degrees of any of these angles, a pause will be issued and autonomous navigation will be prevented. This monitoring helps to prevent collisions and ensures that field operations proceed smoothly without interruption from the moving pivot.

 

Setting the SIS Angle

The Stop in Slot (SIS) angle is an important component of the Pivot Safety System, designating a specific location within the field where the pivot arm can safely park without interfering with ongoing field operations. Properly setting this angle ensures the pivot arm is positioned away from the path of field vehicles, enhancing safety during automated tasks.

• View the selected pivot within the AgSense integration settings.
• Under the section labeled "SIS Angle", input the desired angle for the pivot to park safely, based on field layout and operational considerations. Ideally, this value matches the same SIS angle seen in your AgSense dashboard.

While providing an SIS angle is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to define this parameter to enhance the effectiveness of the Pivot Safety System. Setting the SIS angle helps check when the the pivot arm is parked in a position that is deemed safest for both the pivot and autonomous field operations, minimizing the potential for operational disruptions or collisions.

Proximity Mode:

By monitoring the position of the pivot arm relative to the position of the vehicle, the system ensures that Sabanto Autonomy systems will pause when the vehicle poses a risk of interference with the irrigation pivot arm. Proximity mode focuses on two critical measurements:

• Pivot Arm Safety Distance: The area around the irrigation pivot arm that a vehicle should not navigate within.
• Vehicle Safety Distance: The area around the vehicle that allows it to come safely to a stop.

Setting the Pivot Arm Safety Distance

The Pivot Arm Safety Distance is an important component of the Pivot Safety System, designating a specific distance around the pivot arm outside of which the vehicle is safe to operate for ongoing field operations. Properly setting this distance ensures the pivot arm is positioned away from the path of field vehicles, enhancing safety during automated tasks.

• View the selected pivot within the AgSense integration settings.
• Under the section labeled "Safety Distance", input the desired safety distance for the pivot beyond which it is safe to operate vehicles. The value defaults to 20ft.

While updating this distance is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to review and update this parameter for your operations to enhance the effectiveness of the Pivot Safety System.

Updating the Pivot Safety Mode

By default, connected accounts will have the pivot safety system set to Strict mode. To disable or  change the mode of the pivot safety system, customers must explicitly update it within the AgSense integration settings.

To enable the system

• Navigate to the AgSense integration: Ensure you are on the AgSense integration page with established AgSense connections.
• Change Safety Mode: For each connected account, you can select Off, Strict or Proximity mode which applies to associated pivots under that account.

Troubleshooting

• Pause in being issued when tractor is in the field and irrigation pivot is OFF in Strict Mode: Check the currently reported angle of the irrigation pivot arm and verify that a SIS angle has been set for the pivot inside the AgSense integration. If the irrigation pivot arm is not within +/- 2 degrees of the min, max, or SIS angle, then the safety system believes the pivot is not in a safe location to allow autonomous navigation in the field. If you determine the pivot arm is in a safe location and the SIS angle has not been set, then you may update the SIS angle for that pivot, which will allow autonomous navigation.
• Pause is being issued when irrigation pivot arm is in the SIS angle: Check the irrigation pivot from the settings page to ensure that the SIS angle is set within the integration and that it matches the SIS angle that is set within your AgSense dashboard.
• The irrigation pivot arm is not up-to-date: Sabanto receives updates from irrigation pivots every 30 minutes. At this time, it is not possible to request information sooner.