# US 12,180,677 B2 · Landscape channeling using an autonomous robotic soil dredger > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,180,677 B2 - Document ID: US12180677B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/806,740 - Filed: 2022-06-14 - Published: 2023-12-14 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2022-06-14 - Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation - Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation - Inventors: Partho Ghosh; Sarbajit K. Rakshit; Akash U. Dhoot - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12180677B2 ## CPC - E02F 5/145: {control and indicating devices} - E02F 9/205: {Remotely operated machines, e.g. unmanned vehicles (E02F3/8866 takes precedence)} - E02F 9/262: {with follow-up actions to control the work tool, e.g. controller} - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract A computer-implemented method for dynamic landscape channeling using an autonomous robotic soil dredger. The method derives one or more landscape metrics, wherein the one or more landscape metrics comprise soil metrics, environmental conditions, and vegetation water consumption metrics. The method further generates a digital twin of proposed trench and ridge metrics based on the derived one or more landscape metrics, wherein the proposed trench and ridge metrics comprise a depth of the trench, a distance between one or more trenches, a stream size, a slope of the trench, and a shape of the trench. The method further determines a trench pattern based on the generated digital twin of the proposed trench and ridge metrics and collaborates with the autonomous robotic soil dredger to generate the trench pattern. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method for dynamic landscape channeling using an autonomous robotic soil dredger to reduce soil erosion by reducing runoff, comprising: deriving one or more landscape metrics, wherein the one or more landscape metrics comprise soil metrics, environmental conditions, and vegetation water consumption metrics; generating a digital twin of proposed trench and ridge metrics based on the derived one or more landscape metrics, wherein the proposed trench and ridge metrics comprise a depth of the trench, a distance between one or more trenches, a stream size, a slope of the trench, and a shape of the trench; measuring soil moisture content and soil absorption rate for the proposed trench and ridge metrics using sensor-based smart controllers, wherein the one or more trenches are outfitted with the sensor-based smart controllers; determining a trench pattern based on the generated digital twin of the proposed trench and ridge metrics; and collaborating with the autonomous robotic soil dredger to generate the trench pattern. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the generated digital twin of the proposed trench and ridge metrics can dynamically generate a soil water retention and absorption pattern based on relative positioning of one or more vegetation root systems, one or more adjacent trenches, soil metrics, and water retention schedule and runoff amount. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising: determining an amount of soil to be excavated to construct a trench, based on the proposed trench and ridge metrics; and creating and dissolving one or more micro dams based on the proposed trench and ridge metrics, soil metrics, water supply, and amount of water flow required. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising: determining, dynamically, a need for blocking or releasing ongoing water flow through the trench and narrowing or widening of the trench for a duration of time based on the soil metrics, an amount of wetting required, the stream size, water supply, and fertilizer drift off. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising: detecting one or more anomalies, by the autonomous robotic soil dredger, wherein the one or more anomalies comprise water run-off, surge flooding, water clogging, soil erosion, water overflowing from one trench to another trench; and conducting, by the autonomous robotic soil dredger, a ridge construction or blockage release to mitigate the detected one or more anomalies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising: synchronizing, by the autonomous robotic soil dredger, with water flow controllers an amount of water, stream speed, and duration of water runoff based on the environmental conditions, trench pattern, soil metrics, and wetting pattern; and controlling, dynamically, an initiation, a termination, and a pause of water flow into the trench. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising: sending an alert based on any changes to one or more characteristics of the trench; and initiating, automatically, maintenance and re-trenching either before or after a water discharge to maintain the trench and ridge shape, size, pattern, and slope. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: performing a digital twin simulation to identify optimum trench and ridge metrics, based on a growth pattern of plant roots, a consumption pattern of water, humidity, weather conditions, and types of plants. ### Claim 9 A computer program product, comprising a non-transitory tangible storage device having program code embodied therewith, the program code executable by a processor of a computer to perform a method, the method comprising: deriving one or more landscape metrics, wherein the one or more landscape metrics comprise soil metrics, environmental conditions, and vegetation water consumption metrics; generating a digital twin of proposed trench and ridge metrics based on the derived one or more landscape metrics, wherein the proposed trench and ridge metrics comprise a depth of the trench, a distance between one or more trenches, a stream size, a slope of the trench, and a shape of the trench; measuring soil moisture content and soil absorption rate for the proposed trench and ridge metrics using sensor-based smart controllers, wherein the one or more trenches are outfitted with the sensor-based smart controllers; determining a trench pattern based on the generated digital twin of the proposed trench and ridge metrics; and collaborating with the autonomous robotic soil dredger to generate the trench pattern. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the generated digital twin of the proposed trench and ridge metrics can dynamically generate a soil water retention and absorption pattern based on relative positioning of one or more vegetation root systems, one or more adjacent trenches, soil metrics, and water retention schedule and runoff amount. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The computer program product of claim 10, further comprising: determining an amount of soil to be excavated to construct a trench, based on the proposed trench and ridge metrics; and creating and dissolving one or more micro dams based on the proposed trench and ridge metrics, soil metrics, water supply, and amount of water flow required. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising: determining, dynamically, a need for blocking or releasing ongoing water flow through the trench and narrowing or widening of the trench for a duration of time based on the soil metrics, an amount of wetting required, the stream size, water supply, and fertilizer drift off. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising: detecting one or more anomalies, by the autonomous robotic soil dredger, wherein the one or more anomalies comprise water run-off, surge flooding, water clogging, soil erosion, water overflowing from one trench to another trench; and conducting, by the autonomous robotic soil dredger, a ridge construction or blockage release to mitigate the detected one or more anomalies. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising: synchronizing, by the autonomous robotic soil dredger, with water flow controllers an amount of water, stream speed, and duration of water runoff based on the environmental conditions, trench pattern, soil metrics, and wetting pattern; and controlling, dynamically, an initiation, a termination, and a pause of water flow into the trench. ### Claim 15 A computer system, comprising: one or more computer devices each having one or more processors and one or more tangible storage devices; and a program embodied on at least one of the one or more storage devices, the program having a plurality of program instructions for execution by the one or more processors, the program instructions comprising instructions for: deriving one or more landscape metrics, wherein the one or more landscape metrics comprise soil metrics, environmental conditions, and vegetation water consumption metrics; generating a digital twin of proposed trench and ridge metrics based on the derived one or more landscape metrics, wherein the proposed trench and ridge metrics comprise a depth of the trench, a distance between one or more trenches, a stream size, a slope of the trench, and a shape of the trench; measuring soil moisture content and soil absorption rate for the proposed trench and ridge metrics using sensor-based smart controllers, wherein the one or more trenches are outfitted with the sensor-based smart controllers; determining a trench pattern based on the generated digital twin of the proposed trench and ridge metrics; and collaborating with the autonomous robotic soil dredger to generate the trench pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The computer system of claim 15, wherein the generated digital twin of the proposed trench and ridge metrics can dynamically generate a soil water retention and absorption pattern based on relative positioning of one or more vegetation root systems, one or more adjacent trenches, soil metrics, and water retention schedule and runoff amount. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The computer system of claim 16, further comprising: determining an amount of soil to be excavated to construct a trench, based on the proposed trench and ridge metrics; and creating and dissolving one or more micro dams based on the proposed trench and ridge metrics, soil metrics, water supply, and amount of water flow required. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The computer system of claim 17, further comprising: determining, dynamically, a need for blocking or releasing ongoing water flow through the trench and narrowing or widening of the trench for a duration of time based on the soil metrics, an amount of wetting required, the stream size, water supply, and fertilizer drift off. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The computer system of claim 17, further comprising: detecting one or more anomalies, by the autonomous robotic soil dredger, wherein the one or more anomalies comprise water run-off, surge flooding, water clogging, soil erosion, water overflowing from one trench to another trench; and conducting, by the autonomous robotic soil dredger, a ridge construction or blockage release to mitigate the detected one or more anomalies. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The computer system of claim 17, further comprising: synchronizing, by the autonomous robotic soil dredger, with water flow controllers an amount of water, stream speed, and duration of water runoff based on the environmental conditions, trench pattern, soil metrics, and wetting pattern; and controlling, dynamically, an initiation, a termination, and a pause of water flow into the trench.