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JRM Vol.38 No.2 pp. 413-426
(2026)

Paper:

A Task Allocation Framework for Field-Based Mobile Machines with Algorithm Selection and Hyperparameter Tuning

Kenta Hayakawa* ORCID Icon, Shunsuke Miyashita**, Nagahiro Fujiwara**, Ryota Yoshiuchi**, Jiaxi Lu*** ORCID Icon, Ryota Takamido*** ORCID Icon, and Jun Ota*** ORCID Icon

*Department of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan

**Technology Innovation R&D Department II, Research & Development Headquarters, KUBOTA Corporation
1-11 Takumi-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka 590-0908, Japan

***Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering (RACE), School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan

Received:
September 30, 2025
Accepted:
January 5, 2026
Published:
April 20, 2026
Keywords:
smart agriculture, field-based mobile machines, task allocation, optimization, split delivery vehicle routing problem
Abstract

This study proposes a generalizable and extensible framework for task allocation among multiple agricultural machines. Although several previous studies have focused on specific aspects, such as route planning and task scheduling under constrained conditions, few have addressed the combined challenges of task division, variability in farmland scale, and algorithm selection with hyperparameter tuning in an integrated manner. To fill this gap, we formulate the problem as a split delivery vehicle routing problem, which enables flexible division of field tasks across machines. Based on this formulation, we construct a unified framework that incorporates farmland modeling, machine modeling, and farmer-specific preferences. The proposed framework is designed to accommodate multiple optimization algorithms such as simulated annealing, local search, genetic algorithm, and ant colony optimization under a common structure, allowing flexible applications across diverse agricultural scenarios. We evaluated the performance and sensitivity of the algorithm to the hyperparameters using simulations for varying farmland sizes and computation times. The results demonstrate that the framework effectively supports algorithm selection and parameter tuning according to situational needs. This approach offers a versatile foundation for optimizing agricultural tasks, and can be extended to dynamic and real-time environments using real farmland data.

Versatile task allocation framework

Versatile task allocation framework

Cite this article as:
K. Hayakawa, S. Miyashita, N. Fujiwara, R. Yoshiuchi, J. Lu, R. Takamido, and J. Ota, “A Task Allocation Framework for Field-Based Mobile Machines with Algorithm Selection and Hyperparameter Tuning,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.38 No.2, pp. 413-426, 2026.
Data files:
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Last updated on Apr. 19, 2026