Abstract: A method may include receiving map data descriptive of a plurality of zones located within a parcel of land and receiving information indicative of a plurality of reference coordinates or objects including at least a first and second reference coordinate or object located on the parcel, in which the first and second reference coordinate or object each has corresponding information for defining boundaries for a first workable zone and a second workable zone on the parcel associated therewith, respectively. The method may further include determining the boundaries of the first and second workable zones responsive to detection of at least the first and second reference coordinate or object, respectively. The method may also include receiving time-scheduling instructions for the first and second workable zones, and operating the robotic vehicle to remain within the first and second workable zones in response to the time-scheduling instructions.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include a first chassis platform including a first wheel assembly, a second chassis platform including a second wheel assembly where the first and second chassis platforms are spaced apart from each other, and a combination linkage operably coupling the first and second chassis platforms. The combination linkage may be operably coupled to the first chassis platform via a first link and is operably coupled to the second chassis platform via a second link. The combination linkage employs at least two different coupling features to operably couple the first and second chassis platforms. The at least two different coupling features include at least any two among a fixed attachment, an attachment that enables rotation about a turning axis, and an attachment that enables pivoting about a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the turning axis.

Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a charging station (210) and a robotic work tool (100), said robotic work tool (100) comprising a position determining device (190) and a controller (210), wherein said controller (210) is configured to determine a current position for the robotic work tool (100) based on the position determining device (190), determine a first distance from the current position to said charging station (210), cause said robotic work tool (100) to travel a predetermined distance or for a predetermined time, determine a new current position for the robotic work tool (100) based on the position determining device (190), determine a second distance from the new current position to said charging station (210), determine if the second distance is larger than the first distance; and if so, cause the robotic work tool (100) to turn towards the charging station (210).

Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include a first chassis platform including a first wheel assembly, a second chassis platform including a second wheel assembly where the first and second chassis platforms are spaced apart from each other, and a combination linkage operably coupling the first and second chassis platforms. The combination linkage may be operably coupled to the first chassis platform via a first link and is operably coupled to the second chassis platform via a second link. The combination linkage employs at least two different coupling features to operably couple the first and second chassis platforms. The at least two different coupling features include at least any two among a fixed attachment, an attachment that enables rotation about a turning axis, and an attachment that enables pivoting about a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the turning axis.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include a power module and a working module. The power module may include control circuitry configured to execute stored instructions to direct operation of the robotic vehicle on a defmed area, and a drive motor for propelling the robotic vehicle responsive to control by the control circuitry. The working module may be configured to perform a function with respect to the defmed area responsive to being propelled by the power module. The working module may be one of a plurality of interchangeable working modules that are attachable to the power module. At least one of the interchangeable working modules may have a different function than the working module.

Abstract: A robotic work tool comprising a work tool (160), a tool damage detector (162) and a controller (110) for controlling the operation of the robotic work tool (100), the robotic work tool (100) being configured to detect that the work tool (100) is damaged or lost by detecting an irregularity utilizing the tool damage detector (162) and thereby determining that the work tool (160) is damaged or lost.

Abstract: A method may include receiving map data descriptive of a plurality of zones located within a parcel of land and receiving information indicative of a plurality of reference coordinates or objects including at least a first and second reference coordinate or object located on the parcel, in which the first and second reference coordinate or object each has corresponding information for defining boundaries for a first workable zone and a second workable zone on the parcel associated therewith, respectively. The method may further include determining the boundaries of the first and second workable zones responsive to detection of at least the first and second reference coordinate or object, respectively. The method may also include receiving time-scheduling instructions for the first and second workable zones, and operating the robotic vehicle to remain within the first and second workable zones in response to the time-scheduling instructions.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include a first chassis platform including a first wheel assembly, a second chassis platform including a second wheel assembly where the first and second chassis platforms are spaced apart from each other, and a combination linkage operably coupling the first and second chassis platforms. The combination linkage may be operably coupled to the first chassis platform via a first link and is operably coupled to the second chassis platform via a second link. The combination linkage employs at least two different coupling features to operably couple the first and second chassis platforms. The at least two different coupling features include at least any two among a fixed attachment, an attachment that enables rotation about a turning axis, and an attachment that enables pivoting about a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the turning axis.

Abstract: Some example embodiments may provide a capability for intelligent control or management of a number of assets in connection with yard maintenance with the assistance or inclusion of a management unit having distributed properties. Thus, for example, sensor equipment and task performance equipment operation may be coordinated between local management and remote management entities for efficient monitoring and maintaining of lawn wellness.

Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) comprising further comprising a charging station (210) and a robotic work tool (100), the robotic work tool system (200) being configured to determine a change in weather and to take preservation action. The robotic work tool may detect the change in weather by detecting an electrical charge buildup in the boundary wire. The robotic work tool may take the preservative action by the robotic work tool (100) distancing itself from the charging station (210).

Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include one or more functional components configured to execute a lawn care function, a sensor network comprising one or more sensors configured to detect conditions proximate to the robotic vehicle, an object detection module configured to 5 detect objects proximate to the robotic vehicle using contact-less detection, a positioning module configured to determine robotic vehicle position, and a mapping module configured to generate map data regarding a parcel on which the robotic vehicle operates.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle may be configured to incorporate multiple sensors to make the robotic vehicle capable of collecting, feeding, and uploading weather data into an aggregation agent to form a geospatial map or weather service. In this regard, in some cases, the robotic vehicle may include an onboard vehicle positioning module and sensor network to give the robotic vehicle a collective understanding of its environment, and enable it to autonomously collect and upload weather data to an aggregation agent for corresponding locations.

Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200), comprising a charging station (210), a boundary wire (250), a signal generator (240) for generating and transmitting a signal through said boundary wire (250) for demarcating a work area (205) and for generating a magnetic field (265) for guiding a robotic work tool (100) to said charging station (210), said robotic work tool (100) being configured to detect a magnetic field strength of the magnetic field (265) in the work area (205), direct itself towards an increasing magnetic field strength, determine that the robotic work tool (100) is unable to reach the charging station (210), inform the robotic work tool system (200) accordingly, whereby the robotic work tool system (200) is configured to adapt a current level of the signal generating the magnetic field (365).

Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include control circuitry configured to execute stored instructions to direct operation of the robotic vehicle on a defined area, and an electrical resistance sensor in communication with the control circuitry. The electrical resistance sensor may be configured to detect motion indicative of a lift event and a collision event using a single sensor.

Abstract: A method of charging a battery (50). The method comprises the step of supplying (101) an essentially constant charging current (C) of a predetermined first magnitude (C1) from a power source (10) to the battery (50), during a first constant current mode (CC1) of charging. Furthermore the method comprises the step of switching (102) to a second constant current mode (CC2) of charging when a battery voltage (Vb) reaches a predetermined threshold value (Vt1); and the step of supplying (103) an essentially constant charging current (C) of a predetermined second magnitude (C2) to the battery (B), during the second constant current mode (CC2) of charging. The second magnitude (C2) is lower than the first magnitude (C1).

Abstract: A robotic work tool system includes a charging station and a robotic work tool. The robotic work tool includes a position determining device for determining a current position. The robotic work tool may be configured to determine that reliable navigation through the position determining device is no longer possible, such as when satellite signal reception is not possible, at a time point and position and in response thereto generate an obstacle map which gives information on the position of at least one obstacle, determine when an area will be shadowed with regards to satellite reception based on the obstacle map, and schedule operation of the robotic work tool accordingly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robotic work tool (100) for use with at least one guiding wire (250; 260) adapted to conduct electric current to generate a magnetic field around the guiding wire. The robotic work tool has a sensing system (510) adapted to detect a strength of the magnetic field, a steering system (540), a controller (530) configured to control the steering system in response to output from the sensing system by means of a feedback control loop (532) so as to cause movement of the robotic work tool along the guiding wire. The controller is configured to determine a measure indicative of a distance between the robotic work tool and the guiding wire, and adjust at least one parameter of the feedback control loop in response to the determined distance measure.

Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a charging station (210) and a robotic work tool (100), said robotic work tool (100) comprising a position determining device (190) and a controller (210), wherein said controller (210) is configured to determine a current position for the robotic work tool (100) based on the position determining device (190), determine a first distance from the current position to said charging station (210), cause said robotic work tool (100) to travel a predetermined distance or for a predetermined time, determine a new current position for the robotic work tool (100) based on the position determining device (190), determine a second distance from the new current position to said charging station (210), determine if the second distance is larger than the first distance; and if so, cause the robotic work tool (100) to turn towards the charging station (210).

Abstract: A robotic work tool system, comprising a robotic work tool, said robotic work tool comprising a controller being configured to cause said robotic work tool to operate in a first operating mode, which first operating mode is based on a current position, said current position being determined based on signals received from a position determining device, such as Global Navigation Satellite System device; determine that said received signals are not reliable, and in response thereto cause said robotic work tool to operate according to second operating mode, which second operating mode is not based on a current position being determined based on said received signals.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include a power module and a working module. The power module may include control circuitry configured to execute stored instructions to direct operation of the robotic vehicle on a defmed area, and a drive motor for propelling the robotic vehicle responsive to control by the control circuitry. The working module may be configured to perform a function with respect to the defmed area responsive to being propelled by the power module. The working module may be one of a plurality of interchangeable working modules that are attachable to the power module. At least one of the interchangeable working modules may have a different function than the working module.