The present invention relates to a control arrangement (1) for a self-propelled robotic lawnmower (3) having a cutting unit (5, 6) configured to rotate during operation of the lawnmower (3). The control arrangement (1) is configured to navigate the lawnmower (3) along a navigation path (7) comprising adjacent mowing strokes (S, Sp, Su). The control arrangement (1) is configured to set a rotation direction (rl, r2) of the cutting unit (5, 6) based on the navigation path (7), or is configured to select the navigation path (7) based on a rotation direction (rl, r2) of the cutting unit (5, 6). By adapting the rotation direction (rl, r2) or the navigation path (7), the direction (d1, d2) to which grass clippings are ejected, i.e. towards the previous mowing stroke (Sp) or to a future mowing stroke (Su) is controlled thereby reducing energy consumption or grass decomposition time.

Disclosed in the present invention are a grass-cutting robot and a control method therefor. The grass-cutting robot comprises a travelling apparatus, a motive power apparatus, a detection apparatus and a control apparatus. The travelling apparatus is configured to facilitate travel of the grass-cutting robot on a physical surface in a first direction. The motive power apparatus is configured to drive the travelling apparatus. The detection apparatus is configured to detect an attitude of the grass-cutting robot. The control apparatus is configured to apply a control signal to the grass-cutting robot when the attitude meets a predetermined condition, the control signal causing resistance to arise in the travelling apparatus, and the resistance causing a tendency of at least part of the travelling apparatus to move in the first direction to be hindered. Further disclosed in the present invention is a control method for a grass-cutting robot. The grass-cutting robot and control method therefor according to one or more embodiments of the present invention can improve the precision of grass-cutting robot control, and increase work effectiveness and safety.

An autonomous electric mower for mowing a lawn comprises a frame, drive wheels, cutting deck, computer, a Lidar sensor, at least one color and depth sensing camera. The computer is programmed and operable to: determine the location of the mower; detect obstacles; and to instruct the mower to avoid the obstacles. Advantageously, the system is operable to analyze the data from the multiple sensors and to instruct the mower to continue to safely operate and cut the lawn despite one or more of the sensors being obstructed. Novel route planning methods are also described.

A system is for determining a position on a golf course. The system has a master unit and at least one slave unit. The master unit and the at least one slave unit are adapted to communicate through a telecommunications network. The master unit comprises a receiver for a satellite navigation system, the receiver being operable at a fixed position on the golf course. The master unit is configured to: obtain a position determined by the receiver; process the displacement between the obtained position and the fixed position; and make the processed displacement available to the at least one slave unit through the telecommunications network. A slave unit then makes use of the processed displacement to improve positions determined by itself.

Disclosed is a mobile robot configured to cut lawn in a work area. The mobile robot may include a main body, a weight sensing sensor, an obstacle sensing sensor, a blade, and a processor. The mobile robot may execute an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm and/or a machine learning algorithm, and perform communication with other electronic devices in a 5G communication environment. As a result, it is possible to enhance user convenience.

Systems and techniques for detecting suboptimal mowing due to impacted vegetation and/or orientation changes are discussed. In some examples, blade speeds, blade heights, torques, and/or a current required to spin the blades of a mower at a determined rate may be calibrated and associated with a lawn mower and/or map. Changes in any one or more of the blade speed, current required, torque, etc. (and/or additional data from one or more sensors on the mower) may be used as an indication for determining whether vegetation has impacted the underside of a mower, whether the blade has struck an object, whether the mower is undergoing an orientation change, whether the mower requires maintenance, and the like. Based on the indication, the mower can perform one or more functions to attempt to remediate the problem autonomously and/or send a signal to a user for additional help.

A robotic work tool system (200) for defining a working area perimeter (105). The robotic work tool system (200) comprises a robotic work tool (100) and a controller (210). The robotic work tool (100) comprises a position unit (175) and a sensor unit (170). The controller (210) is configured to receive, from the sensor unit (170), edge data indicating whether the robotic work tool (100) is located next to a physical edge (430). The controller (210) is further configured to control the robotic work tool (100) to travel along the physical edge (430) while the edge data indicating that the robotic work tool (100) is located next to the physical edge (430) and to receive, from the position unit (175), position data while the robotic work tool (100) is in motion. The controller (210) is configured to determine, based on the edge data and position data, positions representing the physical edge (430) and to define, based on the determined positions, at least a portion of the working area perimeter (105).

A method for operating a robotic work tool (1) comprising a sensor for detecting a boundary wire (3) demarcating a work area (2). The method comprises the steps of detecting (9) at least a partial crossing of the boundary wire (3), allowing (12) a crossing of the boundary wire (3) by an offset, switching (8) between a first offset setting and at least a second offset setting of the work tool (1) based on one or more events (7). A robotic work tool (1) comprises a controller for controlling the operation of the robotic working tool (1). The controller is configured to: control the work tool (1) to operate within the work area (2), determine whether the work tool (1) crosses the boundary wire (3), allow a crossing of the wire (3) by the offset, and switch (8) between at least two offset settings stored in the work tool (1).

A work tool system (200) comprising a work tool (100) and a server (320), the server (320) comprising a controller (321) and a communication interface (325) and the work tool (100) comprising a controller (110) and a communication interface (115), wherein the server (320) is configured to: receive movement indications for a user (U) through the communication interface (325); determine a movement pattern based on the movement indications; determine a Do Not Disturb area suitable for the movement pattern; and to transmit information on the Do Not Disturb area to the work tool (100) through the communication interface (325); and wherein the work tool (100) is configured to: receive information on the Do Not Disturb area; control the work tool so that the Do Not Disturb area is not violated.

A lawnmower, and in particular a robotic lawnmower, can include a passive cleaning assembly for removing detritus from the lawnmower housing. The passive cleaning assembly can be moveably mounted on the housing. Movement of the lawnmower with respect to the ground can cause a cleaning portion of the passive cleaning assembly to move with respect to the housing, and thereby remove detritus from the housing.