Lawnmower Coordination Server Using Virtual Zones and Time Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lawn-mowing technologies face challenges in efficiently coordinating the work of smaller, slower lawnmowers and larger, faster lawnmowers without causing collisions, particularly in complex environments with varying terrain and obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A server device that divides a work area into virtual zones and sets specific time ranges for each type of lawnmower to operate within these zones, avoiding simultaneous operation to prevent collisions, while accounting for terrain complexity and mower capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lawn-mowing work is conducted by multiple lawnmowers with different sizes and speeds, then work efficiency is improved, but the risk of collision between lawnmowers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The work area is divided into multiple virtual zones, and each lawnmower is assigned to specific zones with designated work time ranges. This segmentation of space and time allows different lawnmowers to operate simultaneously without collision by ensuring they work in different zones or at different times within the same zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The server device pre-calculates and assigns work time ranges for each lawnmower in each virtual zone before the lawnmowers start working. This preliminary scheduling prevents collision by ensuring that lawnmowers know in advance when and where they should work, avoiding conflicts with other lawnmowers.
2Productivity
If a lawnmower with larger size and higher speed is used, then work efficiency is improved, but suitability for detailed work decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different types of lawnmowers (large/high-speed and small/low-speed) are assigned to different virtual zones based on the specific requirements of each zone. Large lawnmowers handle open areas requiring high efficiency, while small lawnmowers handle areas requiring detailed work, allowing each lawnmower to operate in its optimal performance range.
Data Source
AI summary
A server device includes an area setting unit that sets a first area in which a first lawnmower executes first lawn-mowing work in a work area and a second area in which a second lawnmower second lawn-mowing work in the work area, a zone dividing unit that divides the work area into plural virtual zones, a time range setting unit that sets a first time range in which the first lawnmower executes the first lawn-mowing work in each of the virtual zones included in the plural virtual zones and a second time range in which the second lawnmower executes the second lawn-mowing work in each of the virtual zones included in the plural virtual zones, and a notification unit that notifies the first time range and the second time range to a smartphone. Consequently, a user can check a possibilty of contact between the first and second lawnmowers.