Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cis.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnewse!cwpjr
From: cwpjr@cbnewse.cb.att.com (clyde.w.jr.phillips)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: CALM (computer-aided lawn mowing)
Summary: Radio - Electronics
Keywords: feasibility, beer
Message-ID: <1991Jun26.185703.18476@cbnewse.cb.att.com>
Date: 26 Jun 91 18:57:03 GMT
References: <1991Jun20.192334.24623@auto-trol.com>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 27

In article <1991Jun20.192334.24623@auto-trol.com>, bridon@auto-trol.com (Brian Donahue) writes:
> 
> yo.
> 
> i have this (maybe ridiculous) idea for a 'automatic' lawn mower.
> The idea would be to mount a mulching lawn mower on a 'computer-guided'
> platform of sorts.  You could then do a(n accurate) drafting/CAD 
> layout of your lawn (including trees, flower gardens (ie. places 
> you dont want mowed)), figure out a start point, use an NC-type 
> algorithm to guide your mower and then sit back
> with a beer while your PC does all the work.
> 
> Being a robotics neophyte, i have no idea how to approach this problem
> or what complications may make the problem harder than it sounds.  
> For example, would i need some sort of tracking system?  or can i assume
> that for every turn of the wheel the lawn mower goes a certain distance?
> (how accurate can i get w/ no tracking system?)
> Are there suppliers of rs232-driven 'wheels'??
> 
> or is this totally ridiculous & not worth pursuing?
> 
> thanks for any advice,
> bd				bridon@auto-trol.com

A multi-part series on this project ran last year...

Clyde