Cut the grass from a distance using an RC lawn mower
If you grew up watching Honey I Shrunk the Kids, you may recall the scene with Wayne Szalinski’s remote-controlled lawn mower. Inspired by the 1989 film, “elliotmade” designed a version of his own a few years ago that’s still functioning today.
With a successful proof of concept, he decided to assemble a second version featuring some improvements like an FPV camera; however, this one was for Elliot’s wheelchair-using friend to help him retain his independence.
The mower is driven by a pair of power wheelchair/scooter wheels and motors via differential steering. It uses an RC-style setup for primary control, along with an Arduino Nano that activates a couple relays for an electric starter setup, as well as a cutoff and battery switch.
Once the mower’s combustion engine is started, it then replenishes the battery through an alternator, allowing it to keep going until gas runs out.
More details on the build, including a few notes of caution, can be found in Elliot’s write-up.
June 3rd, 2020 at 13:44:27
Like the design you could add GPS and then it could be semi autonomous ?
June 6th, 2020 at 00:49:41
Hi there.
I’m in a high school engineering class and really need some help. We have to wire wheel chair motors to be able to go forwards and reverse.
I can provide any additional information, but we have just recently started.
The guys is running triple amperage through these boards and seems to have run into a heat issue at one time, but resolved with fans.
We really need to know how to make this thing wireless. Any help would be appreciated.