Abstract: A drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes a CAN-Bus network, a plurality of controllers, a pair of electric transaxles controlled by the plurality of controllers, and one or more steering and drive input devices coupled to respective sensor(s) for sensing user steering and drive inputs. The plurality of controllers communicate with one or more vehicle sensors via the CAN-Bus network. The plurality of controllers receive the user's steering and drive inputs and posts on the CAN-Bus network and generate drive signals to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor.

Abstract: A vehicle drive and control system includes an input shaft driven by a prime mover and extending into a housing to drive a generator. An electric motor powered by the generator drives an output axle, which may be a single axle extending out one side of the housing, or a through shaft extending through the electric motor and out both sides of the housing. The input shaft may be parallel to the axle. A power controller is configured to back-drive the generator when certain predetermined conditions are met. A motor controller may control an output of the motor based on input received via an operator control device, and the motor controller is configured to operate the motor as a generator under certain operating conditions. The transaxle includes a common housing in which the power generator, the motor, and controllers for the generator and electric motor are disposed.

Abstract: A system provided for use with a lawn mower includes a processor in communication with the lawn mower. The processor is configured to acquire geographic location data of the lawn mower and mapping data for the lawn mower as the lawn mower operates on the plot of land. The processor is configured to acquire performance data of the lawn mower as the lawn mower operates on the plot of land according to a first path and generate a map of the plot of land at least partially based on the geographic location data and the mapping data. The processor is configured to determine an operational efficiency of the lawn mower according to the first path and determine a second path for the lawn mower that increases the operational efficiency of the lawn mower for operating on the plot of land.

Abstract: Vision based guidance system and method for lawn mowing devices are disclosed. An exemplary method for operating an autonomous lawn mower includes receiving, via a receiver, a perimeter data set from a handheld computer. The perimeter data set includes a perimeter outline of at least one perimeter that is determined utilizing a GPS unit of the handheld computer. The exemplary method also includes collecting, via at least one camera, images of a set area within the perimeter outline and mowing, via a mowing blade, grass within the set area. The exemplary method also includes autonomously steering, via a controller, the autonomous lawn mower based on the perimeter outline of the at least one perimeter and the images captured by the at least one camera.

Abstract: A drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes a CAN-Bus network, a plurality of controllers, a pair of electric transaxles controlled by the plurality of controllers, and one or more steering and drive input devices coupled to respective sensor(s) for sensing user steering and drive inputs. The plurality of controllers communicate with one or more vehicle sensors via the CAN-Bus network. The plurality of controllers receive the user's steering and drive inputs and posts on the CAN-Bus network and generate drive signals to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor.

Abstract: A drive and control system for a utility vehicle includes a CAN-Bus network and a vehicle control module operable to communicate signals to and from one or more components via the CAN-Bus network. The system includes first and second electric actuators with first and second electronic drive modules, respectively. The system includes a steering and drive input device and a steering and drive sensor module operable to post on the CAN-Bus network a steering and drive input command. The vehicle control module processes the steering and drive input command and post on the CAN-Bus network a steering and drive output command. The first and second electronic drive modules process and convert the steering and drive output command to appropriate first and second actuator commands to drive the first and second electric actuators to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the utility vehicle.

Abstract: A communication device is provided for use with a mobile vehicle, having a drive system, and a plurality of sensors, including such things as a engine sensor drive system sensor, position sensor, and operational status sensor; and at least one controller for controlling the operation of one or more of these sensors. The communication device includes a processor mounted on the vehicle, and a transceiver in communication with the processor for sending data to and receiving data from a remote processor. The processor also includes input links that are capable of receiving data from the sensor and output links that are capable of communicating data received from the remote computer and transceiver to one or more of the controllers.

Abstract: A performance learning system and method is provided for a utility vehicle. The performance learning system includes a propulsion system, a plurality of sensors disposed on the vehicle and capable of acquiring operational data associated with the vehicle, a processor, and a memory configured to store historical operational data. The processor can be configured to receive the operational data from the sensors, generate and transmit a command to control the propulsion system based on the operational data and the historical operational data, and update the historical operational data based on the operational data. The operational data may include characteristics associated with one or more of an operator of the vehicle or an operating environment of the vehicle. The systems and methods may optimize the performance of the utility vehicle for particular environments and conditions in which the utility vehicle is being operated and increase operator satisfaction.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling mower operations includes a mower and a remote server. The mower includes a plurality of wheels and a plurality of blades. The mower also includes an onboard processor configured to control operation of the mower and a transceiver configured to communicate with the mobile device via a wireless area network. The remote server is configured to communicate with the mobile device via a cellular network to receive real-time streaming of a GPS location collected from a GPS unit of the mobile device. The remote server also is configured to determine, in real-time, a command signal for the mower based on the GPS location and transmit, in real-time, the command signal to the onboard processor via the mobile device to instruct the onboard processor to modify one or more mower operational parameters.

Abstract: A drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes one or more sensors configured to detect an operational parameter of an aspect of the vehicle, and one or more controllers for controlling one or more components of the vehicle and for receiving data output from the one or more sensors. The controller communicates with the one or more sensors and one or more vehicle modules configured to control one or more vehicle components via a CAN Bus network. The controller may be coupled to an IMU mounted on the vehicle for dynamically controlling the vehicle on sloped terrain, for example. The controller may be accessible from a remote device over a wireless network for communicating setup, diagnostic, and performance data to and from the vehicle.

Abstract: A drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes a CAN-Bus network, a vehicle controller, a pair of hydrostatic or electric transaxles controlled by respective electronic drive controllers, and one or more steering and drive input devices coupled to respective sensor(s) for sensing user steering and drive inputs. The vehicle controller communicates with one or more vehicle sensors and one or more vehicle controllers that control one or more vehicle components via the CAN-Bus network. The vehicle controller processes the user's steering and drive inputs and posts on the CAN-Bus network digital drive signals configured to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor. The electronic drive controllers convert the digital drive signals to appropriate signals for driving the hydrostatic transaxles or the electric transaxles, as equipped, based on tunable motion parameters to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor.

Abstract: A drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes a CAN-Bus network, a vehicle controller, a pair of hydrostatic or electric transaxles controlled by respective electronic drive controllers, and one or more steering and drive input devices coupled to respective sensor(s) for sensing user steering and drive inputs. The vehicle controller communicates with one or more vehicle sensors and one or more vehicle controllers that control one or more vehicle components via the CAN-Bus network. The vehicle controller processes the user's steering and drive inputs and posts on the CAN-Bus network digital drive signals configured to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor. The electronic drive controllers convert the digital drive signals to appropriate signals for driving the hydrostatic transaxles or the electric transaxles, as equipped, based on tunable motion parameters to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor.

Abstract: A drive and control system is provided for use on a zero turn vehicle, and includes first and second hydraulic ground drives independently driving a set of driven wheels. Each ground drive has an electric actuator to control the output thereof. An operator mechanism generates a drive signal corresponding to a neutral drive position or to one of a plurality of non-neutral drive positions of the operator mechanism, and a steering signal corresponding to a neutral steering position or to one of a plurality of non-neutral steering positions of the operator mechanism. Sensors generate signals corresponding to sensed roll, pitch and yaw parameters. A stability control module includes a processor for receiving the drive and steering signals and for providing output signals to the electric actuators.

Abstract: A utility vehicle having operator selectable onboard and remote controls also includes a prime mover and a power generating device driven thereby, first and second electric wheel motors, and a drive controller in communication with the wheel motors to control the output thereof and in communication with the onboard controls. A radio control receiver is in communication with the drive controller and with a radio control transmitter having steering and speed controls. The vehicle includes a control mode switch having a first position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the onboard controls, and a second position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the radio control transmitter.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating a three-dimensional geographical map of a lawn using a mower equipped with sensors for monitoring geographic location, pitch and roll, comprising the steps of: periodically acquiring position, pitch and roll data as the lawn is mowed; transmitting the geographic location, pitch and roll data to a computer processor; and processing the geographic location, pitch and roll data to generate the map. The method is useful for enhancing mowing efficiency and managing the activities of a fleet of mower units.

Abstract: A vehicle drive and control system includes an input shaft driven by a prime mover and extending into a housing to drive a generator. An electric motor powered by the generator drives an output axle, which may be a single axle extending out one side of the housing, or a through shaft extending through the electric motor and out both sides of the housing. The input shaft may be parallel to the axle. A power controller is configured to back-drive the generator when certain predetermined conditions are met. A motor controller may control an output of the motor based on input received via an operator control device, and the motor controller is configured to operate the motor as a generator under certain operating conditions. The transaxle includes a common housing in which the power generator, the motor, and controllers for the generator and electric motor are disposed.

Abstract: A utility vehicle having operator selectable onboard and remote controls also includes a prime mover and a power generating device driven thereby, first and second electric wheel motors, and a drive controller in communication with the wheel motors to control the output thereof and in communication with the onboard controls. A radio control receiver is in communication with the drive controller and with a radio control transmitter having steering and speed controls. The vehicle includes a control mode switch having a first position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the onboard controls, and a second position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the radio control transmitter.

Abstract: A monitoring system is provided for a utility vehicle, and particularly, a zero turn radius type utility vehicle such as a lawnmower. The monitoring system includes an onboard processor and one or more sensors that are in communication with the onboard processor, to report various sensed parameters of the utility vehicle to the processor. The processor includes a transmitter for transmitting information that is processed by the processor to a near range electronic communication device. The near range electronic device includes a processor for further processing information received from the onboard processor. The near range electronic device also includes a transmitter that is capable of transmitting information to a far range electronic device, such as a remote computer, for providing the sensed information to a remote monitor.

Abstract: A drive and control system is provided for use on a zero turn vehicle, and includes first and second hydraulic ground drives independently driving a pair of driven wheels. Each ground drive has an electric actuator to control the output thereof. An operator mechanism generates a drive signal corresponding to a neutral drive position or to one of a plurality of non-neutral drive positions of the operator mechanism, and a steering signal corresponding to a neutral steering position or to one of a plurality of non-neutral steering positions of the operator mechanism. Sensors generate signals corresponding to sensed roll, pitch and yaw parameters. A stability control module includes a processor for receiving the drive and steering signals and for providing output signals to the electric actuators.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating a three-dimensional geographical map of a lawn using a mower equipped with sensors for monitoring geographic location, pitch and roll, comprising the steps of: periodically acquiring position, pitch and roll data as the lawn is mowed; transmitting the geographic location, pitch and roll data to a computer processor; and processing the geographic location, pitch and roll data to generate the map. The method is useful for enhancing mowing efficiency and managing the activities of a fleet of mower units.