I like your thinking.:wink:.. :smile:KennyV
DIY robot lawn mower
- Thread starter mois25
- Start date
I like your thinking.:wink:.. :smile:KennyV
While my DIY lawn mower is not working yet, I find it's easier to sleep at night
if I just remove the electronic controller from the mower when not used, I'v
seen the same thing used in car sound systems. if someone is strong enough
to carry off the unit, they would never be able to use it. the unit itself
is just a collection of parts that can be replaced. sometimes when I look at the
unit I kinda wish it would walk away some night, because I know I could do better
next time(first try a making DIY lawn mower).
Now if the electronic controller and software was lost, I'd cry buckets of tears.
Sorry only pictures of unit I have are doing other tasks, up here mowing is done
for the year.
PS: My test mowing deck is an Earthwise 24Vdc
I would like to use rotary cutters, not the spinning type like the Earthwise I using.
Tommy
if I just remove the electronic controller from the mower when not used, I'v
seen the same thing used in car sound systems. if someone is strong enough
to carry off the unit, they would never be able to use it. the unit itself
is just a collection of parts that can be replaced. sometimes when I look at the
unit I kinda wish it would walk away some night, because I know I could do better
next time(first try a making DIY lawn mower).
Now if the electronic controller and software was lost, I'd cry buckets of tears.
Sorry only pictures of unit I have are doing other tasks, up here mowing is done
for the year.
PS: My test mowing deck is an Earthwise 24Vdc
I would like to use rotary cutters, not the spinning type like the Earthwise I using.
Tommy
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Two-Stroke
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Tommy-
I am impressed. That's a really cool project. About the software, do you write it on a PC? Does the bot have a PC controlling it? Please post more about this. Please!
Another thought: can't you just back up the software so if it's lost you have a duplicate?
Two-Stroke
Yes it has a on-board PC (Net book) the software is written in C#, it's Wifi connected to PC in the house, for manual
control a Bluetooth palm sized keyboard is used.
That would be the smart thing to do...but with it still changing daily, I do slack off on the backups.
Picture below was what it looked like 2 months ago while mowing
Tommy
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Two-Stroke
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Tommy-
I could go on and on with questions but I'll ask my top three:
Does the netbook on the bot run Windows? I'm guessing that it does since C# is developed by Microsoft.
Is the controller(s) that connects (via USB, I guess) the netbook to the hardware (motors, etc) an off-the-shelf item? If so, please post a link.
Did you write all the code yourself or did you find some modules (classes, I guess they'd be since it's Microsoft) online (shareware, freeware, etc.)?
This gets my vote for the best thread to date on LawnMowerForum.:thumbsup:
Yes, the Mule's PC is running XP Home, the base PC in the house is running Vista.
All the input devices are currently off the shelf USB items(Cameras,Compass 3-Axis, Gyroscope 3-Axis, Accelerometer 3-Axis, Encoders), All the output controls (lights,Motors..ect) are not plug&play but could be.
Phidgets Inc. - Unique and Easy to Use USB Interfaces
Phidgets Inc. - Unique and Easy to Use USB Interfaces
http://usdigital.com/products/encoders/incremental/rotary/kit/e6/
http://www.heidenhain.com/en_US/pro...26&tx_assistmepdb_pi1[show_article]=988175121
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=021
I'm not using the below link, but sometimes wish I was.
RoboteQ AX2550 - 2 x 120 SmartAmps 12V-40V Robot Controller - RobotShop
While the main program running on the Mule and in the house are from scratch, each
manufacture supplies drivers for a number of different programing platforms for the products
they make.
Tommy
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Two-Stroke
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Thanks for taking the time to post that. It's nice to know that stuff like that is out there for sale.
Is the Mule a hobby or a potential commercial project?
Two-Stroke
I'm making it to hopefully help my mom(75yr old) maintain her independent living.
she is struggling between staying in her own home, or going to an assessed living
facility, the main problem she is looking at is the cost of maintaining an independent
life is lawn care and snow removal with her husband gone(past away four years ago).
She named the Mule George, my lover calls it Georgeta because of all
the time and money I spend on it.
but after working on this project for the last 3 months, now I want one for myself.
so I will be making at least one more (once my brother seen it with the 50" plow installed he also wants one).
Tommy
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Two-Stroke
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That's a noble cause. I wish you well. My late mother had to go to assisted living for her last seven years but the challenge was getting her to go. She suffered from dementia and had little if any awareness that she wasn't fully functional.
That's quite an impressive project. Even if you can't sell it, you're learning lots of valuable skills that can be applied to other things.
Two-Stroke
So far what I'v learned the limitations of the different consumer robotic feedback products available.
Electronic Compasses are affected by Motors, Cars, even the iron railing on my mom's porch.
Gyros drift at about 4deg per minute and can't be reset while moving(it will runaway).
Accelerometers only give feedback while Accelerating and decelerating.
Ultrasonic range sensors are affected by changing wind speeds and barometric pressures.
Laser range sensors are just too costly (5k US) and are affected by humidity.
Two wheeled differential drive system are like balancing on top of a beach ball.
Tommy
PS: because the Mule has four different attachments and is going to mow autonomously there
is lots to do, if you was also working on this type of project, you'd think it could be competed
faster I could learn from your mistakes, and you mine.
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