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."

Can you cut your lawn

[Anonymous Coward]

21 percent faster with Opera?

Would be nice to hack one of these..

[Antity]

Just imagine:

• Go west
• Go west
• Go north
• Mow monster
• Go north
• Examine roses
• Mow roses
• Go east
• Look innocent.

Why in New Zealand?

[GuyMannDude]

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

Powered by MS?

[usurper_ii]

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

The last thing a true geek needs...

[BgJonson79]

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

Microsoft Announces XP based Lawn Control Services

[freerangegeek]

Where do you want to mow today?

Imagine that...

[ryanvm]

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.

LawnSpam

[kmahan]

Next thing spammers will be sending spam to the Mowbot -- which will reciprocate by mowing the spam message into the lawn. The neighbors will be all over my case for the 6' (obnonus: 2m) letters spelling out porn sites and make money fast scams.

Couldn't Xena ...

[Anonymous Coward]

just use her shakra to cut the lawn?

Why don't Kiwis use the resources they have?

Join the opposition

[Subcarrier]

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

I'm going to pass on the mower

[Target Drone]

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.

Re:Sad

[Anonymous Cow herd]

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.

Insert Obligatory 'Lawnmower Man' Reference Here

[guttentag]

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

Re:Why in New Zealand?

[rediguana]

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...

Re:Why in New Zealand?

[Loligo]

>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..."

Re:Would be nice to hack one of these..

[Dark Lord Seth]

Sounds like a MUD. Imagine someone accidently logging on to it and thinking it's a MUD...

Go east.
Go south.
Go west.
Kill dog.
Skin corpse.

Yeah, I already have one of those

[miguel_at_menino.com]

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

Why?

[Rorschach1]

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

I See Unlimited Opportunities

[The Dobber]

(Que booming announcer voice)

Internet enabled snow blower!!
Internet enabled dog collar!!
Internet enabled Popeil Pocket Fisherman!!

Slapping an X10 camera on something will become the equivalent of "case modding"

Re:Why in New Zealand?

[Nyarly]

Because sheep don't have a length setting. Your options are "no roots" or "haven't eaten that yet." Beastly creatures. All the intelligence of a turkey. Tastier though...