Robotic Weeder

I have designed a Robotic Weeder. It will roam around the customer’s garden systematically identifying and killing weeds. This eliminates the need for weeding which is tedious and the most unpopular part of gardening. The robot is fitted with caterpillar tracks to cope the uneven terrain of gardens. It is also waterproof to survive adverse weather conditions. The Robotic Weeder is fitted with a solar panel so that it can charge ‘on the go’ and reduce its impact on the environment. The front of the weeder has three sensors to build up a 3d map of the garden to navigate it. There is a proximity sensor, a camera and an infra-red sensor. Included with the Robotic Weeder is a base unit (charger) and two types of waterproof electronic plant tags. The customer would need to attach an identification tag to each cultivated plant they want to keep so the robot knows they are not weeds. The tag can either be wrapped round the stalk of a plant or, in the case of perennials, (plants which die back and re-grow next year) a stake which will be placed touching the plant marking it as desirable. All vegetation that does not have a tag will be identified via on-board sensors and circuitry as a weed. The robot is fitted with a blowtorch which it will activate once a weed is detected. The Robot will singe the weed which will cause the plant tissue to go into ‘shock’, die and disintegrate. When the robot is low on electricity or on gas it will return itself to its base unit to refill and recharge. The base unit is also waterproof and sits in the garden. It will be plugged into a mains supply of electricity to charge the robot and stores a cylinder of gas inside. The gas is used to refill the Robotic Weeder and when the base unit is low on gas the customer will be notified by a message through the app on their phone, alerting them to replace the gas cylinder. The app will be downloadable on the customer’s phone and give information about the robot such as charge level and location. The robot record weed exterminations using the camera and send them to the app for the customer to watch. This robot will have potential to success as it is a new and innovative idea. Robotic vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers have proved popular and this is a logical progression which will deal with this messy, time consuming and unpopular chore, leaving the customer to sit back and enjoy the garden with a glass of wine whilst watching the robot do the hard work for you as your weeds are carefully and systematically destroyed! Made using Fusion 360. I couldn't export it as an F3d because it claims to have external linked components even though I have broken all links. As a result the glass texture and decals are not displaying and the joints no longer work. Please use the renders and public link for accurate model. Public Link: http://a360.co/2yEO2VR