Abstract: Systems for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles, including vehicles that have low to zero turning radius capability.

Abstract: Calibrating and optimizing settings of power equipment devices are detailed throughout this disclosure. A mobile device application can be connected with a control device of a power equipment, and data pertaining to current environmental conditions (e.g., turf moisture), turf characteristics (e.g., type of grass, etc.) or machine parameters can be entered into the mobile device application and utilized for generating improved setting value(s). Also disclosed are algorithms for correlating these conditions, characteristics and parameters with adjustment data for adjusting machine settings to achieve a desired performance of a power equipment device.

Abstract: A demarcating system is discussed that includes a control system, a wire loop arrangeable by a user to indicate to an object path as part of a boundary of an area: a signal generator controlled by the control system, wherein voltage signals applied by the signal generator to the loop are controlled by the control system; and current sensing circuitry that senses current signals present within the loop wherein processors of the control system analyse such current signals and—operate in a calibration mode to: cause the signal generator to apply to the loop a series of test voltage waveforms that generate corresponding current waveforms within the loop; and analyse the corresponding current waveforms to determine an operating voltage waveform that, when applied to the loop, generates a corresponding operating current waveform with substantially the same shape as a predetermined current waveform.

Abstract: A chute control assembly for a snow thrower having a housing, handle, and a chute includes a control mechanism, a connecting mechanism, and a guide mechanism. The control mechanism includes an actuator mechanism that allows an operator to manually control the orientation of the chute from a position spaced apart from the chute. The connecting mechanism transfers rotation of the actuator mechanism to the guide mechanism. The guide mechanism is attached to the chute and rotates and adjust the orientation of the chute in response to rotation of the actuator mechanism in order to change the direction that snow is thrown from the snow thrower.

Abstract: A passive self-adjusting seat assembly for a lawn maintenance vehicle having a frame. The passive self-adjusting seat assembly includes a base, a guide assembly attached to the base, and a platform assembly that is selectively movable or slidable relative to the guide assembly in order to maintain an operator in an upright or substantially vertical orientation as the lawn maintenance vehicle traverses uneven or sloped ground. The seat assembly further including a locking assembly for selectively locking the sliding or movement of the platform assembly relative to the guide assembly.

Abstract: A domestic robotic system includes a moveable robot having an image obtaining device for obtaining images of the exterior environment of the robot, and a processor programmed to detect a predetermined pattern within the obtained images. The processor and image obtaining device form at least part of a first navigation system for the robot which can determine a first estimate of at least one of the position and orientation of the robot. A second navigation system for the robot determines an alternative estimate of the at least one of the position and orientation of the robot. Calibration of the second navigation system can be performed using the first navigation system.

Abstract: A mobile outdoor power equipment machine for performing a controlled task within a work area includes a drive system for providing movement of the machine, a working apparatus for performing the task, and a scanning system for scanning an area surrounding the machine. The scanning system is configured to provide detection of physical elements in the environment to aid in navigation of the machine. In an embodiment, the scanning system and a control system are configured to scan the area, determine the presence of a physical element in the area, determine that the physical element is located within the work area, determine the proximity of the physical element to the machine, and direct a behavior of the machine.

Abstract: A domestic robotic system includes a robot and data storage operable to store data defining a boundary of a working area, the robot includes a payload actuable to perform work on a portion of the working area adjacent the robot, at least one processor, a first positioning system, one or more sensors operable to sense directly the boundary of the working area and a current distance of the robot thereto, a second positioning system, which uses data from the sensors. The processor is programmed to operate in (i) an area coverage mode, wherein the processor, using the first positioning system and the stored data defining the boundary of the working area, navigates the robot around the working area, with the payload active, and (ii) a boundary proximity mode, wherein the processor, using the second positioning system, navigates the robot around the working area, in proximity to the boundary.

Abstract: A zone mobility system and method for an autonomous device includes a work area within which the autonomous device is intended to operate, one or more electrically separated boundary conductors, each boundary conductor surrounding a work zone within the work area, a transmitter base electrically connected to at least one of the boundary conductors, and a removably coupled transmitter configured to transmit a signal for directing movement of the autonomous device on the boundary conductor wire. The transmitted signal can be adjusted to optimize the power consumption of the transmitter, and a work operation can be commenced utilizing a transmitter interface, and/or utilizing an autonomous device user interface.

Abstract: Providing objective analysis of performance results of power equipment devices are detailed throughout this disclosure. Image data of vegetation cut by a power equipment device can be captured and uploaded to a server for analysis. Data pertinent to the performance results, such as environment conditions, mechanical parameter settings, type of vegetation or turf, and so forth can be submitted with the image data in some disclosed aspects. Analysis results, optionally in conjunction with adjustment data for adjusting mechanical settings of the power equipment can be provided in response to the image data.

Abstract: A method for generating a localized data map, the method including (a) traversing an area with a machine, the machine including at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to receive data; (b) collecting data of the area utilizing the sensor; and (c) communicating the data to generate a localized data map. A system and method for generating a localized turf grass data map, the method including (a) traversing an area of turf grass with an outdoor power equipment machine, the outdoor power equipment machine including at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to receive data; (b) collecting turf grass data utilizing the sensor; and (c) communicating the turf grass data to generate a localized turf grass data map.

Abstract: A handle adjustment assembly is attached to a walk-behind lawn mower, wherein the handle adjustment assembly is rotatably adjustable relative to a deck of the mower to allow the handle to be adjusted to multiple different heights relative to the ground at distinct operative positions. The handle adjustment assembly is also rotatable to allow the handle to be adjusted to a stored position adjacent to the deck, wherein the mower can be stored in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A low impact turf wheel for significantly reducing the adverse effects of frequent travel over turf by a lawn mower includes a wheel rim having an inner and outer surface, a hub arranged within the wheel rim, wherein the hub includes a central portion for mounting the turf wheel, and a plurality of spaced apart stems extending perpendicularly outward from the outer surface of the wheel rim. The stem includes a stem surface extending perpendicularly to the stem and a lug extending radially outward from the stem surface. The lug includes a lug face parallel to the stem surface, wherein the combination of the stem surface and lug face provide a ground contacting tread.

Abstract: A caster wheel assembly for an outdoor power equipment machine includes a wheel mount and provides a double bell-shaped caster wheel including two bell-shaped halves, each bell-shaped half includes a central hub, a smooth transition portion, an outer circumferential rim, and a planar face. A ground contacting tread can be provided by the outer circumferential rims. A ground contacting tread can be provided by a resilient tread ring positioned between the two bell-shaped halves.

Abstract: A method for autonomous mower navigation includes receiving a return-to-zero encoded signal including a pseudo-random sequence, transforming the received signal to a non-return-to-zero representation, digitally sampling the non-return-to-zero signal representation in a time domain, filtering the sampled signal utilizing a reference data array based on the return-to-zero encoded signal to produce a filter output, and determining a location of the autonomous mower relative to a defined work area based on an evaluation of the filter output.

Abstract: A method of removing debris from an area of turf grass can include providing a grass treatment system including a comb having a leading edge comprising a plurality of comb teeth, wherein the comb is mounted transversely to a direction of travel, and a substantially cylindrical brush positioned above the comb and configured to engage at least a portion of a top surface of the comb, wherein the brush rotates relative to the comb. The method can include positioning the grass treatment system closely adjacent to the turf grass such that the comb engages debris on and around the turf grass surface, and moving the grass treatment so that (i) the comb engages the debris, (ii) the rotating brush removes at least a portion of the debris from the surface of the comb, and (iii) the rotating brush does not come into contact with the turf grass.

Abstract: An automated steering device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, the automated steering device can provide user-assisted steering for a power equipment machine to maintain tight parallel paths. The user-assisted steering can be defined relative to an initial vector traversed through user directed operation of the power equipment machine, independent of or at least in part independent of a predefined area of operation for the power equipment machine. Position location data refined by local terrestrial positioning system correction devices, or onboard rotational correction devices can be provided to obtain high positioning accuracy, and minimal path deviation. As a result, highly accurate pathing can be provided by way of the disclosed automated steering devices.