this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2025
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OpenMower: Let's upgrade cheap off-the-shelf robotic mowers to modern, smart RTK GPS based lawn mowing robots! (github.com)
submitted 1 day ago by Pro@programming.dev to c/technology@lemmy.world
32 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/36230046

YouTube Video.

Let's be honest: The current generation of robotic lawn mowers sucks. Basically all of these bots drive in a random direction until they hit the border of the lawn, rotate for a randomized duration and repeat. I think we can do better!

Therefore, we have disassembled the cheapest off-the-shelf robotic mower we could find (YardForce Classic 500) and were surprised that the hardware itself is actually quite decent:

  • Geared sensored brushless motors for the wheels
  • A sensored brushless motor for the mower motor itself
  • The whole construction seems robust, waterproof and all in all thought through
  • All components are connected using standard connectors, therefore upgrading the hardware is easily possible.

The bottom line is: The bot itself is surprisingly high quality and doesn't need to be changed at all. We just need some better software in there.

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[โ€“] ikidd@lemmy.world 15 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

I've followed this project, and they're very limited on the off-the-shelf mowers that are supported.

Frankly, I'd prefer a generic version that lets me slap some servos against the wheels on a basic cordless mower and drive it around with differential steering. I don't need it to look pretty, I just want it to cut my grass.

[โ€“] Saucepain@lemmy.world 4 points 15 hours ago

Actually, they seem to be launching into a new phase of compatibility, with a version 2 component set being discussed on their website that has much broader capabilities.