Commute routes are how we can move machines from defined locations (like a shop or barn) to fields and vice versa. That allows you to program a whole day of operations, and monitor the machines as they move from one field to another. In other words, routes are equivalent to the internal roads of your farm.
Most importantly, routes work as a network, so when a route is created, we add waypoints on a regular basis and the robot can go to any of those points. Additionally, when we map a field, every row start/end is also an waypoint, so we can send the robot from our shed straight to ROW 5 of Field 10, for example.
Finally, you can "force" waypoints on real-life road intersections. That will allow the machines to figure the shortest path between jobs using your pre-defined roads.
Here's how you can build a new route:
1- Start by placing the machine at the desired starting point. This can be either a standalone point or the waypoint from a previous route. Remember: we count the center of the machine as reference.
2- On Bonsai Pilot Desktop, navigate to Routes (
), make sure you have the correct farm selected, and click "+ New Route" and then "Record Route".
3- Use the lower bar to change farm (if needed) and pick the machine you will be using for mapping.
4- If you will be starting this route from an existing waypoint, pick it on next menu. A circle will show around the machine indicating if your are close enough to the selected waypoint. Drive the machine as needed until the circle turns green. If starting an entirely new route, leave that menu empty.
PRO-TIP
You can drive the machine manually or use the TeleOp button (
) to remotely placing the machine where it is needed.
5- If wanted, use the "route name prefix" to define how this will show on your you application (e.g.: South Road). This is specially useful later when picking routes from field to field.
6- When ready, click "Start Recording", clear the slider, and drive the machine through the desired path. You will see the route as it is recorded. If you need to adjust, you can "Pause Recording" and restart later.
6- When you want to "force" a waypoint (on an intersection, for example), stop the machine, and click "+ Add point".
7- At the end, record the last waypoint, "Pause Recording" and click/slide to end it. You will be able to rename routes and define if they should be bidirectional (default) or one way only - this is useful when your internal roads have defined ways for traffic).
IMPORTANT
If you fail to record the last point, you will be asked if you want to discard the segment or create the route anyway. Discarding it will loose the last part of the route and you will have to go back to the desired endpoint and re-start the process.
PRO-TIP
To be able to switch between routes and jobs seamlessly later, always finish routes to lead to fields within the field boundaries.
8- When you click "Finish Recording" you will be ready to send any of our robots to drive it.