Robotic Mower Traversal Between Separated Lawn Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous lawn mowers struggle to efficiently mow multiple discontiguous lawn areas separated by non-mowable spaces such as paths or driveways, as they lack the capability to navigate and mow across these spaces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A robotic mower system that includes a wheeled chassis, a motorized grass cutter, and a controller capable of storing data on area boundaries and traversal paths, allowing the mower to autonomously move between separated lawn areas by disabling the cutting system during traversal and reactivating it upon reaching the next area, using wideband transceivers for navigation and generating a 2D grid to determine mowable and boundary cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robotic mower is programmed to avoid crossing boundaries defined by buried electrical wires or other navigation methods, then the robot can safely stay within intended mowing areas, but it cannot mow multiple discontiguous lawn areas separated by non-mowable spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the mowing task by dividing the lawn into multiple discontiguous areas, each with its own boundary definitions and mowing patterns. The controller manages multiple separate boundary sets and transitions between areas through trained traversal routes, allowing versatile multi-area operation without requiring a single complex continuous boundary system
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary training actions to teach the robot traversal routes between discontiguous areas before actual mowing operations. Boundary markers are pre-positioned and boundaries are pre-defined, allowing the robot to learn safe transition paths in advance, thereby enabling subsequent autonomous operation across multiple separated areas
2Productivity
If the robotic mower continuously mows without interruption, then productivity is maximized, but the robot cannot transition between separated lawn areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the mowing operation by enabling automatic pausing when transitioning between discontiguous areas. The controller monitors robot position and autonomously pauses mowing during traversal to non-mowable spaces, then resumes when entering the next mowing area, maintaining productivity while adapting to separated lawn configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by automatically managing pause and resume operations during area transitions. The robot continues its mowing task across multiple separated areas without requiring manual intervention, preserving overall productivity while adapting to the discontinuous nature of the lawn spaces
3Measurement precision
If the robotic mower requires manual training for each route, then navigation precision is improved, but the time and complexity of setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automatic boundary detection using sensors and markers. The robot autonomously detects boundary markers, learns traversal routes, and configures its navigation parameters without requiring extensive manual programming, significantly reducing setup time while maintaining accurate boundary detection through automated sensing and learning mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A method of mowing multiple areas includes training a robotic mower to mow at least two areas separated by a space, including moving the robotic mower about the areas while storing data indicative of location of boundaries of each area relative to boundary markers, training the robotic mower to move across the space separating the areas, and initiating a mowing operation. Training the robotic mower to move across the space separating the areas includes moving the robotic mower to a traversal launch point of a first of the areas and moving the robotic mower to a traversal landing point of a second of the areas. The mowing operation causes the robotic mower to move to the traversal launch point, move from the traversal launch point across the space to the traversal landing point, and then mow the second of the areas.