Patent attributes
In some embodiments, a crop feeler system automatically executes a navigational task based on a proximity of a vehicle to an obstacle. The crop feeler system includes a hub attached to the vehicle. Inside the hub are two oscillating circuits each having an oscillating frequency. A member is coupled to the hub. Two inductive elements are positioned within the member so that, when the obstacle comes into contact with the member, at least one of the inductive elements moves closer to at least one of the oscillating circuits and alters the oscillating frequency of that oscillating circuit. A navigation sensor measures the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit, identifies a navigational task using the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit, and executes the navigational task.