Neural Network Vision-Guided Mobile Robot for Retrieving Driving-Range Golf Balls

Abstract

We developed an autonomous mobile robot with neural network (NN) vision that searches for and collects golf balls on an open or an indoor golf driving range. The robot recognizes range borderlines by red stripes. Scattered golf balls are collected using mechanically designed rotating blades. The NN vision identifies objects that are not golf balls and prevents the robot from picking them. The vision system is robust enough to navigate an open field and pick up the golf balls any time of day. Results of the experiments showed that our proposal operates accurately and reliably.