GitHub - ClemensElflein/OpenMower: Let's upgrade cheap off-the-shelf robotic mowers to modern, smart RTK GPS based lawn mowing robots!
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Let's upgrade cheap off-the-shelf robotic mowers to modern, smart RTK GPS based lawn mowing robots! - ClemensElflein/OpenMower

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/36230046

YouTube Video.

Let’s be honest: The current generation of robotic lawn mowers sucks. Basically all of these bots drive in a random direction until they hit the border of the lawn, rotate for a randomized duration and repeat. I think we can do better!

Therefore, we have disassembled the cheapest off-the-shelf robotic mower we could find (YardForce Classic 500) and were surprised that the hardware itself is actually quite decent:

  • Geared sensored brushless motors for the wheels
  • A sensored brushless motor for the mower motor itself
  • The whole construction seems robust, waterproof and all in all thought through
  • All components are connected using standard connectors, therefore upgrading the hardware is easily possible.

The bottom line is: The bot itself is surprisingly high quality and doesn’t need to be changed at all. We just need some better software in there.

  • ikidd@lemmy.worldEnglish
    13·
    21 days ago

    I’ve followed this project, and they’re very limited on the off-the-shelf mowers that are supported.

    Frankly, I’d prefer a generic version that lets me slap some servos against the wheels on a basic cordless mower and drive it around with differential steering. I don’t need it to look pretty, I just want it to cut my grass.

    • Saucepain@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      21 days ago

      Actually, they seem to be launching into a new phase of compatibility, with a version 2 component set being discussed on their website that has much broader capabilities.

  • newaccountwhodis@lemmy.mlEnglish
    124·
    21 days ago

    If you can’t find the time and motivation to just mow your fucking lawn you shouldn’t have one instead of deploying a fucking hedgehog shredder you lazy removed

    • sunbeam60@lemmy.mlEnglish
      141·
      20 days ago

      I’ve got four kids. I work 50-60 hour weeks. I travel for work. I’ve got a lawn. Yes I’ve got a fucking robot mower. One of the best buys I ever did. Anything that buys me 1.5hrs a week is worth its weight in gold.

      Maybe you’re just not the target market for robot mowers.

      Also, a hedgehog shredder?!

      We’ve got a garden full of hedgehogs. See one at least twice a week. I run the mower during the day, twice a week. If it bumps into the smallest thing it stops. I’ve literally never ever seen a hedgehog come to harm. Do you know how these contraptions actually work?