Implementation of an IoT-Based Solar-Powered Smart Lawn Mower

Abstract

Rapid growth in technology has created opportunities to design and develop high-end applications and tools. Conventional mowers in practice are mostly fuel-powered and require personnel assistance for operation. This work develops a smart lawn mower powered by a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel and controlled by an Internet of Things- (IoT-) based technique. The designed lawn mower comprises one brushless direct current (BLDC) motor, four gear motors, sensors, an Arduino-based charge controller, and a Raspberry Pi-powered renewable energy source making it a sustainable device. A lawn mower is operated and controlled through an Android application. Raspberry Pi is used as an edge computing device for transmitting data through the Internet and for communication with Android applications. Arduino UNO is used for energy management and motor control operation. The main novelty of this research is IOT-based motion control feature which provides the user the provision to operate the mower remotely. Results of the designed model depict an average of 89.5% electrical efficiency of the system based on varying weather conditions. Application of the designed model is golf clubs, playgrounds, and lawns eliminating operator costs, saving energy, reducing noise pollution, and achieving environmental sustainability goals.