"Living material" sensor ?

Hi,

Has anyone any idea what kind of sensors are used by Ambrogio L50 lavnmower ?

// ---------- ad begin -----------
// Simple drop and mow feature makes this robot mower the most technically
// advanced robot lawn mowers ever made. The mower does not even require the
// use of a perimeter wire, making it the first of its kind.
//
// When the mower detects that it is no longer on grass it will stop and go in another direction.
// If it approaches a cliff, like a curb or a wide hole, it will also react and chose another direction.
// ----------- ad end ------------

We are very interested to that, me and my mower :stuck_out_tongue:
Any ideas ?

Kariky:
Hi,

Has anyone any idea what kind of sensors are used by Ambrogio L50 lavnmower ?

// ---------- ad begin -----------
// Simple drop and mow feature makes this robot mower the most technically
// advanced robot lawn mowers ever made. The mower does not even require the
// use of a perimeter wire, making it the first of its kind.
//
// When the mower detects that it is no longer on grass it will stop and go in another direction.
// If it approaches a cliff, like a curb or a wide hole, it will also react and chose another direction.
// ----------- ad end ------------

We are very interested to that, me and my mower :stuck_out_tongue:
Any ideas ?

Heh - I've been trying to come up with a similar solution for my robomower; some time ago I picked up an RL500 (Friendly Robotics) mower off of craigslist for $50.00, but I am loathe to bury a perimeter wire. What I want to do is replace the on-board controller with my own (likely an Arduino or two), and hack into the motor controller; I figure for most border areas where I would be running it would be to use bump sensors (I think there is already such a sensor on-board on the front at least). However, where I plan to run it (backyard), the concrete of the patio is level with the ground; I don't want it on the patio (nor do I want it in some low flowerbeds, or in other areas)...

The best idea I have come up with so far has been to use an optical sensor of some sort; perhaps high-brightness IR or some other color LED (green?), to detect when it was over "green grass" vs "something else" (that is not as green) - I suppose you could even use one of those fancier color detectors ICs (I'm just cheap). The only issue (granted, none of this has been tested) is, since this is an optical system, whether dirt, grass clippings, water, etc will be a major issue (causing false positive/negative results).

Maybe theres a way to detect moisture (RF absorption?) or "heat" to detect grass (cooler) vs no grass (hotter - at least in the sun?); maybe one or more or all of these items could form a detection system...

Definately not based on the heat if sensors are working in Finland too :smiley:

Maybe it is the colour ... or moisture of fresh grass then but what kind of sensor could sense that ?
Might be just some capasitive sensor when fresh grass is some centimeters above the ground level and filled with water...