1.

1 Introduction

This project provides a design method of an automated lawn mower, whose task is to cut grass

whilst following a specified pattern with no need of user interaction. This task is expected to be

made possible by using sensors to provide a microcontroller with measurement of distance. The

device is expected to determine the path to follow, as shown in Figure 2, calculate its position

and stop upon completion of its tasks. The project aims to produce a machine which would

relieve people from a regular task of cutting grass in their garden. Automated lawn mower s are

presently available to the public, e.g.[4] but the low spread of these devices is mainly due to the

cost which start at £918.13 [4]. The goal of this project is therefore to produce a similar device

with similar (if not better) performance, at a significantly lawn mower cost.

The present report will provide an understanding the sensor selection process, an analysis of the

microcontroller to be used and the relevant functions it has to execute, a study of the relevant

motors used and a system overview. For this progress report some areas are incomplete.

Automated lawn mower have been made available to the general public for over 30

years [2]; its widespread or public use on the other hand has been limited mainly due to the

current costs of such devices. Existing technology sell at around £899 or more [5] and

considering the fact that the manual versions of these devices, the standard lawn mower , sell at

around £86 [2] although the cost of labour would need to be added to that of the equipment, the

latter is still a current viable and affordable option for most consumers.

There are numerous real-world benefits of having a machine that autonomously cuts grass, these

include:

● Aid elderly users or those with disabilities who are unable to fulfill this task themselves

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 ● For users with a busy schedule and rarely find time to move, etc.

It is a device that can fit into just about everyone's lifestyle, therefore having a device that costs

less, whilst accomplishing the same task as the higher end models is a great advantage in order to

compete with the current market where the end consumer will benefit from. The aesthetic value

of his environment is as important as food and shelter to the modern man. In general, grasses are

found to survive in a variety of conditions and thus the need to curtail their growth in order

to enhance the beauty of our habitat environment. As man evolved intellectually, grass

cutting inevitably developed to an art.

As technology advanced grass cutting developed, away from use of machetes, hoes and

cutlasses to motorized grass cutters. Technology had continued to advance and better

techniques of grass cutting has been invented and constantly improved upon. This gave birth

to the invention of lawn mower. A lawn mower is a machine used for cutting grass or lawns. A

lawn is any area of grass; mostly tough grass which is neatly cut like in a private garden

or a public park.

The first lawn mower was invented in 1830 by Edwin Beard Budding [2]. He was said to

obtain the idea after watching a machine in a local cloth mill which used a cutting cylinder

mounted on a bench to trim clothes for a smooth finish after user saving. Budding

realized that a similar concept could be used to cut grass if the mechanism is mounted in a

wheel frame to enable the blades rotate close to the lawn mower surface [1]. These early

machines user are made of cast iron and featured a large rear roller with a cutting cylinder

(reel) in the front. Cast iron gear wheel transmitted lawn mower from the rear roller to the

cutting cylinder.

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In 1832, Ransoms of Ipswich (under license) began the making of Budding’s mouser r.

This company is today the world’s largest manufacturer of lawn care equipment. By mid 1850,

Thomas Green developed a mouser r which used chains to transmit lawn mower from the rear

roller to the cutting cylinder [2]. It was called ‘Silens Messor’ meaning silent cutter. The

machines user re found comparatively lighter and quieter than the gear driven machines that

preceded them. By late 1890, motorized lawn mower appeared as light user light petrol engines

and small steam lawn mower units became available. In US, Colonel Edwin George produced

the first gasoline lawn mower in 1919. Electric lawn mower and rotary cutting machines

emerged in the 1920’s and 1930’s [2].

1.2 Problem Statement

Nowadays, Lawn mowers are used to make human‘s life much easier. As users can see today,

most people still use manpower on cutting grass [4]. This project is an invention and a way to

make human life become easier. They can save their time [3]. These following are the problems

that have occurred and the reasons why people rarely use this smart grass cutter [2].

There are many designs that have been made in the market, each design has a particular purpose.

The small lawn mower types are suitable for small residential lawns and gardens, while larger,

self-container or ride-on lawn mowers are suitable for large lawns [4]. Usually, the time to cut

the lawn is longer, depending on how large the size of the lawn. Moreover, the machine needs

lots of man power to conduct so that the machine will be in its position. With this invention, an

automatic lawn mower, it just took about 5 minute to set up and leave the machine to finish the

job [5].

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Besides that, the cost of cutting grass is expensive which includes the cost of hiring people, fuel

and maintenance. This invention will help in reducing this cost where it will reduce to the

maximum level [6]. Besides that, by using the smart grass cutter there is no need to use the fuel.

No fuel means, no emission and no pollution. There is 0% of exhaust emission on this machine.

1.3 Objectives of Project

The objectives of this project are:

1. To reduces human effort in cutting off the grass using human strength

2. To interface Wi-Fi with Arduino Uno microcontroller using ESP8266 module.

3. To interface with a propeller motor in cutting off lawn grass.

4. To design mechanical body parts for the lawn mower in performing the cutting grass process.

1.4 Project Significant

For this project it focuses more on domestic use [8]. The machine is used for cutting grass on the

house lawn. It also needs a border wire as a guide for the machine to work inside the border wire.

I. Wi-Fi Module

● This project uses a Wi-Fi module to interface between user and system.

● User command will be conveyed by the Wi-Fi module acting as a bridge between both

system and user.

● It can transmit commands from a wide range radius in a specific lawn area.

II. Grass Whip

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In this cutting grass machine, cable ties as the blade because it is easy to replace and can get it

anywhere. Furthermore it is light and has more safety because it is not sharp when handling it

while changing the cable.

III. Battery

● Multiple batteries Lipo under 3V-12V in the smart grass cutter. This battery will be used

to save and generate the machine.

● This battery can be recharged.

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1.5 Milestone and Deliverable

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 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Block Diagram

Arduino Uno microcontroller is used to control the entire system according to developer

requirements. The Wi-Fi module ESP8266 acts as a bridge between better user and system

performance of the machine. Each instruction requested or ordered by the user will be performed

according to programmed sequence. Motor driver plays an important role in providing a proper

speed, direction, start and stop of the entire prototype as the user requested.

Figure 3.1: Block Diagram

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3.2 Flowchart

Figure 3.2: Flowchart

The system will be initialized after switching “ON” it’s switch. Once the system is switched

“ON”, it will automatically stabilize Wi-Fi module connection strength. Few minutes later, it will

be available to connect with users using it’s Wi-Fi module wave. Once a user has connected

towards the system Wi-Fi module, they will be able to respond towards Arduino Uno in

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performing according to their request. Later, Arduino Uno will instruct motor drivers to move

left and right motor according to user requirement.