Grassinator1300Senior Design 1

Midterm Presentation 2013

Julie White (Team Leader)• Website• Sensors• Autonomous Implementation

Glen Luker• Remote Control Implementation• Autonomous Implementation• Hardware Implementation

Grassinator1300 Team

Grassinator1300 Team

Aaron Ray• Power System Design• Electrical Subsystem

Testing• CAD Design

Perry Clark• Hardware Implementation• Hardware Components

Testing• Hardware Debugging

Timothy Mange• Lead Documentation• Electrical Subsystem Design• Power System Testing

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Raymond Winton

Overview

• Problem and Solution• What is the Grassinator1300?• Technical and Practical Constraints• Approach• Progress• Timeline

Problem and Solution

Problem

Current lawn mowers require prolonged physical labor and sun exposure.

Riding mowers can create additional cleanup work because of their size.

Push mowers do not create cleanup work but still require physical work and sun exposure.

Combine the usability of a riding mower with the size of a push mower, while further reducing the sun

exposure with autonomous features.

Solution

The Grassinator1300 intends to solve these problems by providing a small gas-powered push mower platform that is radio-controlled (RC).

• Use RC mode to record and execute movements

• Operate in autonomous mode

• Allow user to supervise from a nearby shady area

• Limited physical labor.

Solution

System Overview

Power System Microcontroller

Drive System

SensorsRemote Control

Technical and Practical Constraints

Name Description

Battery Requirements The Grassinator1300 must be powered by a 24 VDC battery supply.

Obstacle Detection Obstacles must be detected at a minimum of 6-inch range.

Remote Control The remote control must be able to communicate with transmitter up to 150 feet without any obstructions.

Cutting Height The Grassinator1300 must have an adjustable cutting height between 1-2.5 inches.

Speed/Servos The Grassinator1300 must be able to maintain a speed of 3 MPH.

Technical Constraints

Proper safety measures and shut off features should be implemented to keep people and animals safe.

System will shutoff if:

• Microprocessor malfunctions

• Motor stops working

• Sensor fails

Practical Constraints

Health & Safety

The Grassinator1300 will not be designed to work in stormy or inclement weather.

Practical Constraints

Environmental

[1]

Approach

MotorPros Cons

Electric Motor • Lighter Design• Easily

Maneuverable

• Stability Problems

• Servos Slipping• Requires Battery• Price: $70 -

$240

Gas-powered Motor

• Robust Design• No Battery

Required• Price: Free

• Heavy

MotorPros Cons

Electric Motor • Lighter Design• Easily

Maneuverable

• Stability Problems

• Servos Slipping• Requires Battery• Price: $70 -

$240

Gas-powered Motor

• Robust Design• No Battery

Required• Price: Free

• Heavy

MicrocontrollerPros Cons

PIC24 Starter Board

• 10 analog pins and 5 PWM pins

• Price: $79.99

Arduino Uno R3 • 6 analog pins and 6 PWM pins

• Based on C++• Price: $27.95

• Little Experience

dsPIC33 • 15 analog pins and 6 PWM pins

• Price: $35.00

• ESOS• No EEPROM

MicrocontrollerPros Cons

PIC24 Starter Board

• 10 analog pins and 5 PWM pins

• Price: $79.99

Arduino Uno R3 • 6 analog pins and 6 PWM pins

• Based on C++• Price: $27.95

• Little Experience

dsPIC33 • 15 analog pins and 6 PWM pins

• Price: $35.00

• ESOS• No EEPROM

SensorsPros Cons

Ping Ultrasonic Sensor • 2cm – 3m Range

• Any Lighting Conditions

• May Have Noise Issues

Sharp Infrared Sensor • 10cm – 80cm • Problems in Sun

[2]

[3]

SensorsPros Cons

Ping Ultrasonic Sensor • 2cm – 3m Range

• Any Lighting Conditions

• May Have Noise Issues

Sharp Infrared Sensor • 10cm – 80cm • Problems in Sun

[2]

[3]

Progress

Progress

Progress

Progress

Progress

Progress

Progress

August September October November

Research

Design

Prototype

Coding

Testing and Debugging

Timeline

[1] “How to Mow Now That it has Stopped Raining”, Purdue, Accessed: Sept . 28, 2013 http://purdueturftips.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-to-mow-now-that-it-has-stopped.html

[2] “Ping Ultrasonic Sensor”, Parallax, Accessed: Sept. 28, 2013

http://www.parallax.com/product/28015

[3] “Sharp Infrared Proximity Sensor”, Spark Fun, Accessed: Sept . 28, 2013 https://www.sparkfun.com/products/242

References

Grassinator1300

Senior Design 1Midterm Presentation 2013