Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University

College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Spring 2020/2021

Senior Design Project Report

Design of Robot Lawn Mower

Team 08
Team Members
1- Sulaiman Alkrood 201700826
2- Dhawi Aljar 201600864
3- Ali Alnahwi 201602190
4- Omar Alharbi 201502537
5- Homoud Alnafjan 201601767

Project Advisor: Dr. Fraj Alshmri

Abstract

A robot lawn mower is a machine that is fully capable of cutting grass without human
involvement. They are fully autonomous in their operation, and will cut grass at a desired preset
length by the user. Cutting grass manually is a method that is still being used today; however, it
is a very time-consuming task. With a robot lawn mower; places like public parks, sport fields,
and residential gardens, can save time and labor costs by opting to use a robotic lawn mower.
Furthermore, our robotic lawn mower utilizes a solar panel and a rechargeable battery for
operation; thus, being more environmentally friendly and saving energy costs. Moreover, our
automated solar grass mower is fully capable of grass cutting without the need of any human
interaction. Our aim is to reduce costs by relying on renewable energy, and eliminate the need for
human involvement to operate the machine.
Acknowledgments

We would like to record our appreciation for our project advisor Dr. Fraj Alshmri for his
continuous contribution and guidance towards this project. Furthermore, we thank the chairman
of the mechanical engineering department Dr. Faramarz Djavanroodi for his support.
 Table of Contents

Abstract

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Introduction………………………………..………………………………… 6

1.1 Project Definition………………………………..…………………………………6

1.2 Project Objectives……………………………………………………………….…6

1.3 Project Applications..………………………………..…………………………..…6

Chapter 2: Literature Review…………………………..…………………………………8

2.1 Project Background………………………………..………………………………8

2.2 Previous Work………………………………..……………………………….……9

2.3 Comparative Study………………………………..………………………………10

Chapter 3: System Design………………………………..………………………………..13

3.1 Design Constraints and Design Methodology…………………………………….13

3.2 Engineering Design Standards…………………………………………………….14

3.3 Theory and Theoretical Calculations……………………………………………..16

3.4 Product Subsystems and Selection of Components………………………………20

3.5 Manufacturing and Assembly……………………………………………………..21

3.6 Economic Evaluation……………………………….………………………………22

Chapter 4: System Testing and Analysis…………………………………………………..23

4.1 Experimental Setup, Sensors and Data Acquisitions System…………………….23

4.2 Results, Analysis and Discussion……………………………………………………26

Chapter 5: Project Management……………………………….…………………………..27

5.1 Project Plan………………………………..…………………………………………27

5.2 Contribution of Team Members…………………………………………………….30

5.3 Project Execution Monitoring……………………………………………………….32

5.4 Challenges of Decision Making………………………………………………………32

5.5 Project Bill of Materials and Budget…………………………………………………33

Chapter 6: Project Analysis………………………………..………………………………….34

6.1 Life-long Learning………………………………..……………………………………34

6.2 Impact of Engineering Solutions……………………………………….……………..35

6.3 Contemporary Issues Addressed………………………………………………………35

Chapter 7: Conclusions and Future Recommendations……………………………………..36

7.1 Conclusions………………………………..……………………………………………36

7.2 Future Recommendations………………………………..……………………………39

8. References………………………………..……………………………………………..40

Appendix A: Progress Reports………………………………………………………………..41

Appendix B: Gantt Chart……………………………………………………………………..47

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Project Definition

This project is about the design, fabrication and performance evaluation of a solar
powered grass cutting machine. A lawn mower is a device with revolving blades that cuts the
grass in the lawn evenly. Lawn mowing is the process of trimming grasses to a specific height
usually for aesthetics, garnishing, or sport purposes. A grass cutting machine can be powered by
petroleum or diesel electrically, or with a solar power panel that charges a battery inside the
machine. petroleum or diesel-powered grass cutters are usually noisy and produce emissions.
Opting for a solar powered option can be cost-effective in the long term, in addition to producing
no emission.

In this project we will design and manufacture a new type of grass cutter to be more
advance, also more helpful. In this project, we will change the old lawn mower and replace it
with disk cutter work in two different directions, and we will make the grass cutter simple and
cheap, also this cutter will help to cut sleepy grass. We will design our solar grass cutter to be
environmentally friendly; In addition to keeping the machine working without wires or gasoline.

1.2 Objectives

• Design a small-scale grass cutting machine

• Design a cutting blade with different height adjustments

• Utilize solar energy to reduce costs and emissions

• Easily transportable machine

1.3 Applications

• Sports Field

• Playgrounds
• Residential Gardens and Lawns

• Public Parks
Chapter 2: Literature Review

2.1 Project Background

In the past and till today, many facilities, such as hotels, hospitals, schools, etc. relay on human
involvement to cut and trim grass in their facility. A labor may use a power lawn mowing device
but he/she would still need to manually operate the device, this is mainly due to the fact that in
the past most automatic lawn mowers were expensive and unreliable; however, recent
advancements in technology changed that perceptions, in today’s market there are many options
for an automatic lawn mower, with different capabilities and price range.

Much of the market lawn mowers use cylinder mowing blades; mainly because of the cheaper
costs to make these blades and ease of use; however, we found a significant disadvantage to
using this type of cutting blades, mostly because this type of mower can generally only cut short
grass and is best suited to formal lawned areas. Instead, we chose a rotary disk mower blade.
First, it can handle tough conditions while maintaining clean cutting performance,
maneuverability, and durability. Second, if offers more cutting width options. Third, due to the
high cutting efficiency it can trim or cut lawns faster than other alternatives; as a result, reduces
overall cutting time.

2.2 Previous Work

According to M. W. Priest, “Many of these everyday activities involve the use of small
internal combustion engines, such as those used extensively for lawn care and maintenance.
These engines fall into a group classified as small utility engines, a group that is dominated by
the petrol- powered two-stroke and four-stroke engines used to drive lawn-mowers. In some
areas in the US, the contribution of lawn-mowers to total hydrocarbon emissions was found to be
as high as 13% (Yumlu, 1994).” We can conclude that small combustion engines same as those
found in lawn cutting devices, can significantly raise hydrocarbon emissions; therefore, more
solar operated lawn mowers are needed in the market to reduce the harmful emissions emitted
from petrol and diesel engines (see table 1) [1].
 Table 1. Emissions rates and fuel consumption of 2-stroke engines

Figure 1. Block Diagram of System [2]

In Babangida project they used a glasscutter which is powered using the sunlight energy
that is extracted from photon energy disordered in its movement. A force used to drive those
energies or the movement of photo during this process. The battery is being protected from
overcharging using a regulator which controls the electrons that is entering or leaving the battery
and it will stop the charges from moving once the battery is full by means of disconnecting it
from the solar panel circuit.
2.3 Comparative Study

Grass cutter projects using different mechanisms have been created by many people from
different fields. While researching and looking at some of these existing projects to get the
positive things they have done to add into our project and the drawbacks of their projects so that
we can avoid them when developing our project, I have seen a similar project which was created
by a group of students from ISL Engineering College, Hyderabad and their project's aim was to
develop a hand-held solar operated grass cutting machine using locally available materials such
as bicycle frame and wheels considering some important aspects such as durability, strength, and
light weight of the overall project. The lawn mower was powered by a12V/1.35A rechargeable
battery which drives the DC motor up to a rotational speed of 19,300 RPM to generate high
torque that will be transferred to the cutting head mechanism for efficient grass cutting. The
entire configuration set up was mounted on a wooden base which attached together with a
bicycle frame and a set of wheel arrangement. This manually driven portable lawn mower can be
used to maintain and trim grass in gardens, home, schools or yards [3].

The second project was basically a study of the existing grass cutting machines and the
differences that were added to the modern ones and it was developed by a group of mechanical
engineers from DES’s COET Dhamangaon Rly, India. The research was intended to review the
technological development for making efficient and cost-effective grass cutter and the main aim
was to study the various developments in the grass cutter machines and their performance.
Current technology commonly used for cutting the grass by the manually handled device. It was
found that various types of grass cutter available in market are running by means of solar,
electric and internal combustion engine. Grass cutters are available in market having some limit
to cut grass at some height. It was concluded that the modern grass cutter machine having better
efficiency as compare to old machines because of using the engine and better material of blades
and it also reduces the man power. A lawn mower which is simply called as a grass cutter
machine becomes very popular today and it is very commonly used for furnishing soft grasses.
Now it is necessary for cleaning gardens. Since it is easily operating machine so now it is used
for various application.
 Figure 2. Rotary Blade

The third project was developed by a group of electrical engineers from India. They have
innovated a lawn mower robot that uses a solar panel to power it components and is controlled
using a mobile phone application using Bluetooth. Many projects are using conventional
principles such as internal combustion engines or manual ones which are really common, but if
we think about the labor cost and fuel cost in case of the combustion engine, we may consider
using the renewable free source of power (sunlight) . It has different components that are
attached to it with different functions such as solar power to provide the necessary power, an
ultrasonic sensor to avoid any obstruction and Bluetooth module to connect to a mobile device.
Its motor works on different RPM based on the stored energy or supplied one through the solar
power or battery.
 Figure 3. Lawn mower robot components [2]

Some of the advantages that this project offers are:

• User friendly.

• Relatively small.

• Low cost.

• No labor cost.

• No emissions.

• Can be controlled remotely.

In our project, we are trying to make the new innovative concept mainly used in grass
cutter machines such as stability, durability, easy movement, efficient, and most importantly cost
saving by using special material of construction and using unique movement mechanism that
allows easy movement of the machine and the blade while using the minimum power. Also, by
integrating new setup of tank wheels, we will be able to move the machine on the roughest
surface without compromising the stability of the entire structure while in operation as stability is
one of the main factors that we concern about in our design.
Chapter 3: System Design

3.1 Design Constraints and Design Methodology

3.1.1: Geometrical Constraints

Many of our project’s parts were electronics and since all of us have mechanical engineering
background, it was a challenge for us to assemble and put the parts together. We were able to
assemble the mechanical parts easily, but to assemble the wirings and the electrical parts along
with the solar panel and test them in order not to damage any parts was not easy. Moreover, most
of the parts were not easy to find in the local market, so we had to be really carful while testing
them. In addition to that, we had also to make sure that the total weight of the machine is
combatable with the amount of power that the solar panel can give so that the motor which is
attached to the cutting mechanism can work effectively and for the longest possible duration.
 In our project, we are trying to make the new innovative concept mainly used in grass
cutter machines such as stability, durability, easy movement, efficient, and most importantly cost
saving by using special material of construction and using unique movement mechanism that
allows easy movement of the machine and the blade while using the minimum power. Also, by
integrating new setup of tank wheels, we will be able to move the machine on the roughest
surface without compromising the stability of the entire structure while in operation as stability is
one of the main factors that we concern about in our design.
compatible with the amount of power that the solar panel can give so that the motor which is
attached to the cutting mechanism can work effectively and for the longest possible duration.

3.1.2: Sustainability

The main challenge that we may face is when running the machine in winter where some amount
of water or moisture remains on grass and during cutting plenty amount of moisture can get into
the electronic parts even thought if the system is insulated. Also, grass can get into the moving
parts and can cause possible damage during the movement of the wheels.

3.2.3: Environmental

The working principle of the machine is environment friendly and can run without emitting any
kind of pollution to the environment. It is basically using a clean source of power which heat
from the sun and converts it to an electrical energy which is supplied to the electrical motor that
running without producing any contaminants.

3.2.4: Social

The automated grass cutting machine can be used in house gardens where only small areas is
needed to be cut since the design has some limitation dur to the limited battery capacity which
can stored. It can be a useful tool to be obtained for keeping your small house yard clean and
good looking with no electrical or even labor cost.

3.2.5: Economic

The project is intended to minimize electrical power usage and instead uses an available free
source of power especially here in Saudi Arabia where the weather is mostly sunny. This can
diversify our dependency on diesel or fuel operated machines and uses the green environment
friendly source of power (Sun).
3.2.6: Safety

The main safety concern might be the location of the cutting blades which is located right in the
front side of the machine which has a possibility to cause damages, but this obstacle has been
overcome by placing a sensor in the front which detects any obstacle from a safe distance and
changes its direction immediately before causing any damages.

3.2.7: Ethical

This project has similar previous works. Thus, we took some general ideas from them and we
improved the work by our ideas to improve the design in terms of safety, economically, and
sustainability.
3.2 Engineering Design standards

Standards and specifications are considered as documents describing the rules and conditions
for how materials and products are manufactured, defined, measured, tested, and
implemented, as they are used in order to establish basic lines and quality control in order to
ensure the conditions. The selected components are the following; two types of screws, hex
nut, and a battery. The screws and hex nut standard have been taken according to the IS
standard. The standard of the battery is from SLA as you see in table 3.1.

Table 3.1: Engineering Standards

Components Engineering standard Details

Screw (1) IS (Indian Standard) Slotted fat head screw IS

1365 – M2.5 x 12
Screw (2) IS (Indian Standard) Slotted fat head screw IS
1365 – M6 x 16
Hex Nut IS (Indian Standard) Hexagon Thin Nut
(Chamfered)
IS 1364 – 4 -M10-N
Battery SLA Rechargeable Sealed Lead-
acid Battery 6V-1.2AH
Motor IEC 12V 1000 RPM DC Motor

3.2.1: Screw (1)

The screw has been chosen from the toolbox from the SolidWork® software.
• Length: 12 mm
• Diameter of the head hex: 2.5 mm
3.2.2: Screw (2)
The screw has been chosen from the toolbox from the SolidWork® software.
• Length: 16 mm
• Diameter of the head hex: 6 mm
3.2.3: Hex nut
The hex nut has been chosen from the toolbox from the SolidWork® software.
• Diameter of the head hex: 10 mm

3.2.4: Lead Acid Battery

In figure 3.1, the images show the Battery pack that used for the project
• Voltage: 12 V
• Amp hours: 1.2
• Size: 97 * 25* 51 mm
• Weight: 0.30 kg

(Figure 3.1: The Lead Acid Battery)

3.3 Theory and Theoretical Calculations

3.3.1: The Consumed Electric Power of The Motor:

Power in its most simple form is work done over a set period of time. Power is transmitted to
the load in a motor by transferring electrical energy according to the following scientific
laws. The force used to transfer electrons in electrical systems is called voltage. The rate of
charge flow through a material when a given voltage is applied is called current. The power
of a device can be measured by multiplying the voltage by the corresponding current where is
the input power of the motor and the voltage is and the current is, see equation (3.1) [1].

P = V*I             (3.1)

3.3.2: The Torque of The Electric Motor:

The torque is the twisting force that causes the motor to operate, and it is active from zero to
one hundred percent of its working speed. The motor's output power is proportional to its
speed and is measured in watts. The power of the motor is the result of the multiplication of
the Torque T and the speed of the DC motor N by two times π over an hour, see equation
(3.2) [2].
2*π*N*T
P=        (3.2) 
60
The torque of the motor can be calculated by rewri5ng the equa5on (3.2):

P*60
T=          (3.3)
2*π*N

3.3.3: The Solar Panel Power Output Calculation:

A solar cell is a battery that uses the ‘photovoltaic effect' to transform light into electricity.
They're also known as "photovoltaic cells" because of this phenomenon, as well as to
distinguish them from solar thermal systems. The photovoltaic effect is a phenomenon that
exists in many semiconducting materials like silicon. The power output of the solar panel is
the result of the multiplication between the voltage and the current is see in equation (3.4)
[3].
W = V*I             (3.4)
3.3.4: Results
A) The Current I :
Step (1): Using equation 3.1 to find I

Where:
V = 12 V
P = 5 W
I=?
        P = V*I             (3.1)

5 = 12*I             

Step (2): rewriting equation 3.1 to find I

P
I=   
V

12
I=   
5
I = 2.4 A
B) Torque of the motor:

Using equation 3.3 to find T

Where:
P = 5 W
N = 1000 r pm
T=?
P*60
            T =          (3.3)
2*π*N
 5*60
T=        
2*π*1000

T =  0.0477 Nm
T =  44.7 Nmm

C) The Solar Panel Power Output:

Step (1): Using equation 3.w to find I

Where:

V = 12 V
W = 5 W
I=?
        W = V*I             (3.1)

5 = 12*I             

Step (2): rewriting equation 3.1 to find I

P
I=   
V

12
I=   
5
I = 2.4 A
Final Results:

The Current I I = 2.4 A

Torque of the motor T =  0.0477 Nm

T =  44.7 Nmm

The Solar Panel Power I = 2.4 A

Our project depends on power, torque, and solar cell. Power in its most simple form is work
done over a set period of time. Power is transmitted to the load in a motor by transferring
electrical energy, and the torque will be a twisting force that causes the motor to operate, also
the solar cell will give our device the energy.
3.4 Product Subsystems and Selection of Components

Figure 3.2 shows the 2d sketch of the machine in solid-works with front, top, right, and isometric
views. The base unit essentially connects all the parts together. The cutting blade is connected to
a rotary motor. The rotary blade is mounted on two thin bars of metal that extend forward using
six screws. The system is powered by a 12V 1.2Ah Lead-Acid rechargeable battery, that is
housed inside the metal base unit. The solar panel is 36 cm in length and 23 cm in width; with an
overall area of 828 cm2 (see figure 3.3). The system supports four wheels that are made of
Polyethylene. The continuous track is also made from Polyethylene.

2 1

B B
85.00

A A
60.50

175.00 220.00

AUTOMATED SOLAR GRASS CUTTER

SCALE: 1:5 SHEET 1 OF 1

2 1

(Figure 3.2 2d solid-works sketch with front, top, right and isometric views)
3.5 Manufacturing and Assembly

For the cutting blade, we chose low carbon high alloy steel which provides important mechanical
properties such as high impact resistance and high strength (see figure 3.4). Further, the blade is
connected to two steel bars that provide rigidity even in windy conditions. In addition to added
rigidity, the metal bars offer the option of adjusting the position of the blade. There are two shafts
to connect the wheels each shaft has a 0.6 cm diameter and are made of carbon steel AISI 1065.
The center of the machine houses the rechargeable battery, a 12V 1.2Ah Lead-Acid battery; a
battery of this size was chosen because we should be able to generate enough power for the
motor to rotate the blade as well as rotating the shaft to run at the desired speed. The housing is
made of low carbon steel AISI 1018 (see figure 3.5).

(Figure 3.3 Solar Panel)

(Figure 3.4 Rotary Blade) (Figure 3.5 Center Housing Unit)

3.6 Economic Evaluation

Our machine has no variable costs, only capital costs; and possible profits if the machine is to be
sold. (see table 3.2)
Table 3.2: Costs and Profits
Chapter 4: System Testing and Analysis

4.1 Experimental Setup, Sensors and data acquisition system

4.1.1: Ultrasonic Ranging Module HC - SR04

Ultrasonic Ranging Module HC - SR04 which is located in the front part of the machine for
personnel and equipment safety was tested while the machine was running and the sensor was
functioning properly. The sensor first detected an obstacle ahead within 30 cm distance and then
rotates the machine by stopping one motor that is driving the wheels and keep the other one
which located on the other side of the machine running in order to change the direction of
movement. At the same time, the sensor sends a signal to the cutting machine motor to stop for
safety reason until the front area or detection area clears of any obstacle.

Wire connecting direct as following:

• 5V Supply.

• Trigger Pulse Input.

• Echo Pulse Output.

• 0V Ground

Specifications:

Working Voltage DC 5 V
Working Current 15mA
Working Frequency 40Hz
Max Range 4m
Min Range 2cm
Measuring Angle 15 degree
Trigger Input Signal 10uS TTL pulse
Input TTL lever signal and the range in
Echo Output Signal
proporBon
Dimension 45*20*15mm

4.1.2: Solar Panel:

The solar panel was installed on the top of the tracked

robotic tank chassis in order to allow the panel to be
exposed to direct sunlight to absorb the maximum
amount of solar energy to supply the motors and the
associated electronic parts as well as charging the
battery with electric power.

Specifications:

Rated Maximum Power (Pmax) 5W

Power Tolerance ±3%
Voltage at Pmax (Vmp) 17.8V
Current at Pmax (Imp) 0.28A
Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.3V
Short-Circuit Current (Isc) 0.3A
Temperature Coefficent (Pmax) -0.48 %/°C
Maximum system voltage 1000V DC
Dimensions (mm) 250 x 185 x 25
Net weight 1kg

4.1.3: DC Motor

Three 1000 RPM DC motors are installed in this

system; two of them to drive the wheels and the
third one is to run the cutting machine. All three
motors are identical and have the same specification.
Field testing was done and the battery was capable
to supply all three motors at the same time with same
efficiency.

Specifications:

1000.
RPM

OperaLng Voltage 12V DC

Gearbox APached PlasBc (spur)Gearbox

ShaO diameter 6mm with internal hole

Torque 0.5 kg-cm

No-load current 60 mA(Max)

Load current 300 mA(Max).

4.2 Results, Analysis and Discussion

Running DuraBon with Full BaPery. Around 3 hours without baPery based on
loads and surface.
Solar panel charging duraBon. Around 5 hours based on the ambient Temp.
Free-load motor RPM Around 500 RPM.
Chapter 5: Project Management
5.1 Project Plan
There are several tasks in our project. One or more members are assigned to each task. Here
you'll find all of the details about the tasks, team members, and the time required to finish
each one. Tasks and durations are listed in table 5.1, and assigned members are listed in 5.2
table.

Table 5.1: Task and their durations

# Tasks Start End Duration

1 Chapter 1: Introduction 15/2/2021 20/2/2021 5

Project Work

Chapter 2: Literature Previous Work

2 15/2/2021 20/2/2021 5
Review
Comparative Study

Design Constraints and

Design Methodology

Engineering Design
Standards

Chapter 3: System Theory and Theoretical

3 23/2/2021 25/3/2021
Design Calculations
31
Product Subsystems and
selection of Components
Manufacturing and
assembly
Experimental Setup,
Chapter 4: System Sensors and data
4 1/4/2021 18/4/2021 18
Testing & Analysis Results, Analysis and
Discussion
Project Plan
Contribution of Team
members
 Project Execution
Chapter 5: Project Monitoring
5 10/4/2021 18/4/2021 8
Management
Challenges & Decision
Marking
Project Bill of Material &
Budget
Life Long Learning
Impact of Engineering
Chapter 6: Project
6 Solution 7/4/2021 18/4/2021 11
Analysis
Contemporary Issues
Addressed

Chapter 7: Conclusion
7 Conclusion & 12/4/2021 18/4/2021 6
Recommendation Future Recommendation

Chassis
8 Design of Prototype 30/1/2021 7/2/2021 7
Solar panel
Chassis
Solar panel
9 Parts Purchase 7/2/2021 22/2/2021 16
Battery
DC motor
Building the
10 Assembling 8/4/2021 8/4/2021 1
prototype
Testing the solar panel
11 Testing Testing the sensor 10/4/2021 18/4/2021
8
Testing the motor
 Table 5.2: Tasks and assigned members

# Tasks Assigned Members

Sulaiman Alkrood
Ali Alnahwi
1 Chapter 1: introduc:on
Omar Alharbi
Homoud Alnafjan
Sulaiman Alkrood

Chapter 2: Literature Ali Alnahwi

2
Review Omar Alharbi
Homoud Alnafjan
3 Chapter 3: System Design All

Chapter 4: System Tes:ng

4 Ali Alnahwi
& Analysis

Chapter 5: Project Dhawi Aljar

5
Management Sulaiman Alkrood
6 Chapter 6: Project Analysis Omar Alharbi
Chapter 7: Conclusion &
7 Homoud Alnafjan
Recommenda:on
8 Design of Prototype All
9 Parts Purchase Dhawi Aljar
10 Building the prototype All
11 Tes:ng All
5.2 Contribution of Team Members

One or more members were assigned to the tasks in this project. It is based on the task's skill
and the time taken to complete it. Table 5.3 lists the tasks and members, along with the
percentage of each member's contribution.

Table 5.3: Tasks the contribution of the members

# Tasks Assigned Cont.%
Sulaiman Alkrood 33%
1 Chapter 1: introduc8on Ali Alnahwi 33%
Omar Alharbi 33%
Sulaiman Alkrood 50%
Project Background
Ali Alnahwi 50%

Chapter 2: Literature Sulaiman Alkrood 50%

2 Previous Work
Review Ali Alnahwi 50%
Sulaiman Alkrood 50%
Compara8ve Study
Omar Alharbi 50%
Design Constraints and
Ali Alnahwi 100%
Design Methodology
Engineering Design Homoud AlnaOan 50%
standards Dhawi Aljar 50%
Theory and Theore8cal Dhawi Aljar 75%
Chapter 3: System
3 Calcula8ons Omar Alharbi 25%
Design
Product Subsystems and
Sulaiman Alkrood 100%
selec8on of Components
Manufacturing and
Sulaiman Alkrood 100%
assembly
Economic Evalua8on Sulaiman Alkrood 100%
Experimental Setup,
Ali Alnahwi 100%
Chapter 4: System Sensors and data
4
Tes8ng & Analysis Results, Analysis and
Ali Alnahwi 100%
Discussion
Project plan Dhawi Aljar 100%
 Contribu8ons of team
Dhawi Aljar 100%
member
Project Execu8on
Chapter 5: Project Sulaiman Alkrood 100%
5 Monitoring
Management
Challenges & Decision
Sulaiman Alkrood 100%
Making
Project Bill of Material &
Sulaiman Alkrood 100%
Budget
Life Long Learning Omar Alharbi 100%
Chapter 6: Project Impact of Engineering
6 Omar Alharbi 100%
Analysis Solu8on
Contemporary Issues Omar Alharbi 100%
Chapter 7: Conclusion Conclusion Homoud AlnaOan 100%
7
& Recommenda8on Future Recommenda8on Homoud AlnaOan 100%
8 Design of Prototype Solid-works Design All 100%
Chassis All 100%
Solar panel All 100%
9 Parts Purchase Ba\ery All 100%
DC motor All 100%
Alternator All 100%
10 Building the Porotype Assembly All 100%
Tes8ng the solar panel All 100%
11 Tes8ng Tes8ng the sensor All 100%
Tes8ng the motor All 100%
5.3 Project Execution Monitoring
To be able to reach satisfy the goals of the project and meet all the deadlines, as group we held
many internal group meetings and meetings with our project advisor. Table 5.4 shows the dates
of our meetings and the subject or activity discussed.
Table 5.4 Dates of meetings

Time/Date Activity
Weekly Group Members Meeting
Biweekly Meeting with Advisor
2 April, 2021 Start Assembling Prototype
8 April, 2021 Midterm Presentation
9 April, 2021 Finish Assembling Prototype
11 April, 2021 Test Prototype
20 April, 2021 Submit Final Report
22 April, 2021 Final Presentation

5.4 Challenges and Decision Making

As the case with any long-term project, some challenges or obstacles are bound to surface and
effect some aspects in the project. The main challenges we faced:

- Choosing the correct parts

- Overcoming safety challenges
- Minimizing costs

5.4.1: Choosing the correct parts

In the case of a robot lawn mower device or any robotic device. Choosing the correct parts is
crucial to achieve satisfactory results. For example, choosing the correct battery size to power the
device, if the battery voltage is too low the device will not operate properly; on the other hand,
choosing a battery with a large capacity might lead to issues in fitting and installing as well as an
added cost. We were able to decided on the right size battery based on our individual assessment
of our application.
5.4.2: Overcoming safety challenges
Because our robot includes a fast rotary blade, special attention was needed to making sure the
safety aspect was fulfilled. An Ultrasonic Sensor HC-sr04 was chosen to overcome the safety
concerns. The sensor is attached in the center forward face of the robot above the rotary blade
and its function is to detect any movement or object in front of the robot and send a signal to
simultaneously stop the blade from rotating and the robot from moving forward.
5.4.3: Minimizing costs
Since our project is about designing a robot, if each aspect isn’t studies carefully such as the
overall size of the robot and its functions, the costs of the parts can accumulate fast. This is
avoided constantly going over what is needed to achieve the main objectives of the project
without over-designing the robot.
5.5 Project Bill of Materials and Budget
We summarized our costs in Table 5.5 each material purchased and its cost.
Table 5.5 Bill of materials

Materials Costs

DC Motor 300

Battery 83

Solar Panel 410

Ultrasonic Sensor 49

Wheels and Chassis 450

Total 1292
Chapter 6: Project Analysis

6.1 Life-long Learning

When we working on our project, we gained some knowledge, also we gained dome experiences,
and when we are working, we formed a helpful team. We improved our skills, also we sprite the
work to have good time management, and have enough time to improve our mistakes. My team
now have excellent skill, time management, and knowledge.

6.1.1: Software Skills

In our project, we had a good experience in programming. We use many applications to make
good programing for our project to work very well, we used MATLAB, Microsoft Word, and
Solid work. We developed our skills in programming.

6.1.2: Hardware Skills

When we are working on our project, we used some new advice. We used ultrasonic sensors to
keep our device working without any accident with anything front it, also used battery to save
the energy, and solar panel to get energy from the sun, and used tracked robot tank chassis to
work easily in a different place.

6.1.3: Time Management Skills

In our project, we focus on time management before anything. We are working in specific time to
get work done on time because that we make a plan for the project and make a schedule for any
part for our project to keep us in the correct way, also sprite the work for all person to finish our
work on time because that we have more time to fix any issue when it happens.

6.1.4: Project Management

In our project, we make a plan for any small steps, and each person has a specific work this way
makes our team be more knowledgeable in what he does, also we made a lot of meetings to
discuss where are we, and help anyone had an issue. We collect our work by week. We put
everything in plan and do it to keep us working very well.
6.2 Impact of Engineering Solutions

Our task has different effects regarding society, economy, and environment. In this area, there are
for the most part the effects of our undertaking as far as what recently referenced.

6.2.1: Society

In our project, we focus to help society on normal days because we made a robot to help people
when they cut grass by making it easy, and automatic. Our project will make life easy.

6.2.2: Economy

The project is intended to minimize electrical power usage and instead uses an available free

source of power especially here in Saudi Arabia where the weather is mostly sunny. This can

diversify our dependency on diesel or fuel-operated machines and uses the green environment-
friendly source of power (Sun).

6.2.3: Environmentally

The working principle of the machine is environment friendly and can run without emitting any

kind of pollution to the environment. It is basically using a clean source of power which heat

from the sun and converts it to electrical energy which is supplied to the electrical motor that

running without producing any contaminants.

6.3 Contemporary Issues Addressed

In this project, we solve many issues faces on a normal day. The first one, old machine working
manually we changed the idea, and make a robot can help the person who did this type of work,
the second one, in our project we made it small size to be easy to keep in storage, and don’t take
large space, the last one, our project energy saving, and our robot can move anywhere, also more
accurate in cutting.
Chapter 7: Conclusions and Future Recommendations

7.1 Conclusion

At conclusion now we have reached the last points of research that may have spoken extensively
about (the topic of research) and we have been keen to provide through it the most important
information, data and modern applications related to this topic through reliable sources, so that it
is a starting point for every person who wishes to increase knowledge, research and exploration
in this scientific research field. In this project we have showed how to make the grass cutter more
efficient with the cheapest price by combining it with the solar panels in a detailed method. And
at the end of the report; It is noteworthy that all the data and information that we have obtained
through the report were obtained from reliable sources and concerned parties, given our keenness
to make this field report accurate, correct and comprehensive of everything that is going on in
the minds of this issue.

7.2 Future Recommendations

At the end of this scientific research; We emphasize that through research, exploration and
reliance on internationally documented sources and references; It has been proven that the design
of robot lawn mower is actually has a high degree of positivity for the distant future if the
recommendations and suggestions presented through the research are implemented, in the future
we would like to make the solar panel smaller and design a stronger grass cutter with less weight
also we would like to change the battery to another brand that has more capacity than the one
we’re using right now and we hope to unleash the thinking of students, male and female students
and researchers; So that they can present any new ideas, improvements or suggestions that
would help in enhancing the degree of benefit to individuals and society as a whole through this
research.


8. References

[1] M.W. Priest, D.J. Williams, H.A. Bridgman, Emissions from in-use lawn-mowers in
Australia, Atmospheric Environment, Volume 34, Issue 4, 2000, Pages 657-664, ISSN
1352-2310.

[2] Babangida Ibrahim, V Siva Brahmaiah, Pradeep Sharma, Design of smart autonomous
remote monitored solar powered lawnmower robot, Materials Today: Proceedings, Volume 28,
Part 4, 2020, Pages 2338-2344, ISSN 2214-7853.

[3] Dalal, M. S. S., Sonune, M. V. S., Gawande, M. D. B., Sharad, M., Shere, B., & Wagh, M. S.
A. (2016, April). Manufacturing of solar grass cutter. In National Conference “CONVERGENCE
(Vol. 2016, pp. 06th-07th).

[4]- Gatheridge, B. (2014). Electric Motor Power Measurement and Analysis. Retrieved from
https://www.yokogawa.com/library/resources/media-publications/electric-motor-power-
measurement-and-analysis/

[5]-Deepak1, A, et al. “Design and Fabrication of Grass Cutter.” International Journal of Latest
Engineering Research and Applications, 5 May 2018, www.ijlera.com/papers/v3-
i5/11.201805105-B.pdf.

[6]- Solar Cells: A Guide to Theory and Measurement. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://
www.ossila.com/pages/solar-cells-theory