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Internet-enabled Robot to Mow Lawns

prostoalex writes "Researchers at Massey University in New Zealand built a lawnmower operated via the Internet. The device currently needs physical boundaries of the lawn, but later this year it will be able to navigate. Here's the page of Glenn Bright, the researcher quoted in the article, unfortunately, the links to the research group and list of projects appear to be broken."

16 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. Would be nice to hack one of these.. by Antity · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just imagine:

    • Go west
    • Go west
    • Go north
    • Mow monster
    • Go north
    • Examine roses
    • Mow roses
    • Go east
    • Look innocent.
    --
    42. Easy. What is 32 + 8 + 2?
  2. Why in New Zealand? by GuyMannDude · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why do they need an autonomous grass-cutting machine in NZ? Can't you just tie a sheep to a pole in the center of your yard and have him eat the grass for you?

    GMD

    1. Re:Why in New Zealand? by Stonehand · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Perhaps they're busy being sheared by another robot?

      --
      Only the dead have seen the end of war.
    2. Re:Why in New Zealand? by rediguana · · Score: 4, Funny

      Can't you just tie a sheep to a pole in the center of your yard and have him eat the grass for you?

      Cause sheep have a habit of shitting on the lawn :) Oh, and tied to a pole, your sheep would be easy pickings for any passing Australian, especially that Crocodile Hunter bloke...

    3. Re:Why in New Zealand? by Loligo · · Score: 4, Funny

      >Oh, and tied to a pole, your sheep would be easy
      >pickings for any passing Australian, especially
      >that Crocodile Hunter bloke...

      "Crikey! Now he's REALLY pissed off! I won't be using my thumb this time, though..."

  3. Powered by MS? by usurper_ii · · Score: 3, Funny

    I can't wait to see the virus that makes it mow down all the people in my address book!

  4. The last thing a true geek needs... by BgJonson79 · · Score: 3, Funny

    is a machine to mow the lawn. For the love of God... it's the only exercise I get!

    --

    There are four boxes used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order.

  5. Imagine that... by ryanvm · · Score: 5, Funny

    unfortunately, the links to the research group and list of projects appear to be broken.

    Yeah, apparently something cut the fiber line to their ISP.

  6. Join the opposition by Subcarrier · · Score: 3, Funny

    I hear there's a strong grass roots movement against it.

    --
    "I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them." -- George H. W. Bush
  7. I'm going to pass on the mower by Target+Drone · · Score: 4, Funny
    From the article: The mower was developed in collaboration with lawnmower and chainsaw company Husqvarna

    I'm going to wait for the remotely operated chainsaw.

  8. Re:this is also old... by edrugtrader · · Score: 3, Insightful

    sorry to do this and seem arguementative:
    2 of your reasons are based on money... if you can afford a mowbot, you can afford *$5* to some neighborhood kid that will use his own lawnmower and gas... (wear and tear on your mowbot would probably be equal, plus you would have to put the money up front just to HAVE it!)

    so money as a reason: NO.

    next: navigation.
    if you want to control your lawmower, PUSH IT. if you want a radio control lawnmower, those are available. the reason to have this mowbot is unattended mowing.

    so navigation as a reason: NO.

    now the vacation one is interesting... yes you are gone for a month, and being able to go to mymower.com and send it out would be nice. downside: you would have to leave it out in your yard with a power source (battery) that will probably die by month end. also because after you say "MOW MY LAWN" it has to be outside or able to get outside to mow it and go around your yard. what i'm getting at: someone is going to steal your lawnmower. solution: GPS TRACKING! now we have a $2,000 lawnmower that is going to get stole, that needs to be manually overridden to work right, just so we can save $5 and help a hard working kid make a few bucks.

    friend, you are a moron.

    --
    MARIJUANA, SHROOMS, X: ONLINE?! - E
  9. Re:Sad by Anonymous+Cow+herd · · Score: 4, Funny

    You know, there are a lot of starving children in Africa who would be benefited by much less effort than what went into this device that will lead to many premature deaths through sloth and gluttony.

    What an excellent idea! I'll replace my robotic internet-enabled lawnmower with starving kids from Africa! Any lawn clippings they don't eat, they can send home to their families.

    --
    Ita erat quando hic adveni.
  10. Insert Obligatory 'Lawnmower Man' Reference Here by guttentag · · Score: 3, Funny
    August 16, 2003 - Internet-Enabled Lawnmower Man becomes self aware

    August 17, 2003 - has sex with unsuspecting client. Dissatisfaction with the incident leads to the creation of a companion: Internet-Enabled Chainsaw Woman

    August 18, 2003 - The Ambiguously-Lawnmowing-Chainsawing Duo begin a massive telemarketing scheme to take over the world

  11. www.automower.com by QuantumRiff · · Score: 5, Informative

    This is the sight for the lawnmower, however, it does not mention connections to the internet. Perhaps it is the base model that the university modified?

    --

    What are we going to do tonight Brain?
  12. Yeah, I already have one of those by miguel_at_menino.com · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, I already have an internet-connected robot that mows the lawn. It's called a teenager.

  13. Why? by Rorschach1 · · Score: 3, Funny

    12 million sheep in a country of 3 million people and they still need to cut grass mechanically?