Planet Arduino

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.

 

Ardumower is a project with a basic aim: making a new ‘brain’ freely available for every robot mower in the universe! They  use Arduino Mega and a selection of electronic components including motor driver and sensors.

Why did we create this project?

We did create this project because we think robotics should be open and this includes robotic mowers as well.

Objectives of the project:

- Low-cost, ready-made components, replaceable (à la RC model: stick together receiver, controller, motor, servo !)
- Little soldering – easy programming only the minimum of components (keep it simple!)
detailed instructions for building
- Offering a construction kit (ready ‘Ardumower-kits’) with all modules, components etc. for purchasing
- Free, open-source Arduino-Code for download
- Finding a producer for a robot chassis (‘Ardumower’ chassis)

 

Find documentation, code and  list of components on Ardumower website,  in english and german!