# US 12,213,414 B2 · Autonomous landscape irrigation apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,213,414 B2 - Document ID: US12213414B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/714,263 - Filed: 2022-04-06 - Published: 2023-06-01 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-04-09 - Applicants: Aaron P. Katerberg - Inventors: Aaron P. Katerberg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12213414B2 ## CPC - A01G 25/09: Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like - A01G 25/16: Control of watering - G05D 1/0088: {characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours (using knowledge based models G06N5/00)} - G05D 1/0225: {involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay (parking aids B62D15/027)} - G05D 1/227: Handing over between remote control and on-board control; Handing over between remote control arrangements - G05D 1/661: Docking at a base station (delivering or retrieving payloads G05D1/667) - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES ## Abstract An autonomous irrigation apparatus that employs various data from the ambient environment to inform water dispensing functionality to optimize water use has an above-ground, mobile, self-propelled, autonomous water delivery platform (e.g., a water delivery robot) that is connected to a water source from which it is able to draw a continuous supply of water for irrigating residential or commercial landscapes, lawns and/or gardens. The irrigation apparatus has a drive sub-system, an onboard hose and reel system, a water dispenser system, a sensor system, a control system, a user interface system and a power and charging system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An autonomous irrigation apparatus that employs various data from an ambient environment to inform water dispensing functionality to optimize water use comprising: an above-ground, mobile, self-propelled, autonomous water delivery platform connected to a water source from which it is able to draw a continuous supply of water for property irrigation; a water dispenser system on the water delivery platform for dispensing water for the property irrigation, the water dispenser system including a hose and a hose reel assembly on the platform, the hose connected to the water source, wherein the hose reel assembly operates to dispense and retract sections of the hose at least based upon a distance of the autonomous water delivery platform from the water source; and a control system for controlling the autonomous water delivery platform and the water dispenser system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The autonomous irrigation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drive system for propelling the platform along the ground. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The autonomous irrigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sensor system is coupled with the control system for sensing various parameters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The autonomous irrigation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sensor system senses environmental parameters such as precipitation, solar radiation or temperature. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The autonomous irrigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a user interface is coupled with the control system for enabling manual control of the property irrigation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The autonomous irrigation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power and charging system including a docketing station coupling with a battery on the platform. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The autonomous irrigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sensors are positioned on the ground to define a path and the platform following the path for distributing water. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The autonomous irrigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water dispenser system includes an array of nozzles for distributing water responsive to ground characteristics and terrain. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The autonomous irrigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control system synthesizes data from input of onboard and other sensors to provide a watering plan. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The autonomous irrigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a power cord runs with the hose. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The autonomous irrigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous water delivery platform is configured to move along a dynamic path and dispense and retract the sections of the hose only via at least one of a left side, a right side, and a rear of the autonomous water delivery platform, to prevent the hose from obstructing the autonomous water delivery platform as the autonomous water delivery platform moves along the dynamic path. ### Claim 12 An irrigation system for determining watering needs for lawn and garden areas and distributing a varying amount of water for each area comprising: an above-ground, mobile, self-propelled, autonomous water delivery platform connected to a water source from which it is able to draw a continuous supply of water for property irrigation; a water dispenser sub-system on the water delivery platform for dispensing water for the property irrigation; a hose and a hose reel coupled with the water dispenser sub-system, wherein the hose reel includes a self-retracting rotatable spool that operates to dispense sections of the hose from the spool and retract the sections of the hose onto the spool to maintain engagement of the hose with the water source; a control system for controlling the autonomous water delivery platform and the water dispenser sub-system; and the platform controlled by a programmable path. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The irrigation system according to claim 12, wherein a sensor system is coupled with the control system for sensing various environmental parameters such as precipitation, solar radiation or temperature. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The irrigation system according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of sensors are positioned on the ground to define a path and the platform following the path for distributing water. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The irrigation system according to claim 12, wherein the water dispenser sub-system includes an array of nozzles for distributing water responsive to ground characteristics and terrain. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The irrigation system according to claim 12, wherein the control system synthesizes data from input of onboard and other sensors to provide a watering plan. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The irrigation system according to claim 12, further comprising a power and charging system including a docketing station coupling with a battery on the platform. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The irrigation system according to claim 12, wherein a user interface is coupled with the control system for enabling manual control of the property irrigation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The irrigation system according to claim 12, further comprising a drive system for propelling the platform along the ground. ### Claim 20 An autonomous irrigation apparatus that employs various data from an ambient environment to inform water dispensing functionality to optimize water use comprising: an above-ground, mobile, self-propelled, autonomous water delivery platform connected to a water source from which it is able to draw a continuous supply of water for irrigating; a water dispenser system on the water delivery platform for dispensing water for the property irrigation, the water dispenser system including a hose and a hose reel assembly on the platform, the hose connected to a water supply, wherein the hose reel assembly operates to dispense and retract sections of the hose at least based upon a distance of the autonomous water delivery platform from the water source; a control system for controlling the autonomous water delivery platform and the water dispenser system; and a hose guide through which the sections of the hose extend and retract relative to a spool from at least one of a right side, a left side and a rear of the autonomous water delivery platform.