I know there are some examples of robot mower ideas on the forums, but I'm a practical techie that does not want to reinvent the wheel unnecessarily. If their are systems in place I have no problem with extrapolation from those to build a better product. There are obvious robot mower issues, both DIY and commercial based, that concern me as to "there has to be a better way" to approach this.
Here are two ideas based on surplus finds:
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The best starting platform for a robot mower in terms of endurance and runtime are using heavy duty tranport motor assembly, drive and steering is from a personal motorized wheelchair. it has the torque, speed and ability to run for a long time on a charge. Every robot mower that I see offered is too lightweight and suffers from deficiencies like inability to take a grade. Surplus chairs go from $50-$300 and are relatively easy to find and it's all there down to the joystick.
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Also, I once has a Radio Shack toy robot that had a ultrasonic follow me control that did a pretty good job following me through the house and was fun to play with as a kid (still have it in the closet somewhere, my first bot). Seems the start of a basic training system for a robot mower where you walk the entire yard once and let it record the preferred path and follow you while recording/mapping, observe and learn how it fairs on obstacles and terrain (adjust accordingly). Lots of talk about in ground fences, laser walls, ground radar, the brainless bump and go method. but this is a simply basic first pass method that lets you find and identify issues as you watch it work that makes more sense to me.
Of course there is the mower component, its mass, speed, hazards, etc. but for me it's about getting these motive issues and yard mapping down first that seem like key challenges ahead. Then comes the safety items, recharge base, positioning, mowing mechanics. Even with hauling 50-100 lbs of mower gear that's 1/6-1/3 the max weight capacity of the normal human in the chair, that's an easy load vs these mowers or toy bots banging into stuff and getting stuck dying in 30-90 minutes time.
Arduino seems like a good brain for these items add-ons, cost efficient, compact and also readily available and well supported by a community effort.
Is this making sense or am I missing something major with this approach?
Seems cost effective, heavy duty and not any larger than a push mower.
Suggestions welcome for controls and sensors to adapt to the project.