Researchers from Massey College in New Zealand have developed a robotic garden mower with three 50 W photo voltaic panels and a 20 Ah lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. Each of the PV panels may be retracted and positioned contained in the robotic. They slide when it must recharge its batteries.
A Massey AgriFood Digital Lab workforce primarily based at Massey College in New Zealand has developed a PV-powered robotic garden mower.
The Solar Scout Professional has three absolutely built-in 50 W photo voltaic panels that cost a 20 Ah lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. One of many PV panels is situated on high of the robotic, whereas two extra modules are positioned on a sliding, retractable construction.
“By stripping the photo voltaic module all the way down to its necessities and adopting extremely environment friendly safety schemes together with our flagship stacked panel configuration, we’ve got been in a position to create light-weight photo voltaic panel options excellent for cell functions, ” the analysis group says on the product’s web site. .
The PV system has a most energy level monitoring (MPPT) voltage vary between 15 V and 45 V. The MPPT photo voltaic charger has an effectivity of greater than 99% and the utmost solar energy enter is 400 W. The LiFePO4 battery is rated at voltage of 38,4 V and vitality capability of 768 Wh. The workforce claims it has 5,000 cost cycles.
“Assuming that the Sunscout Professional prices its batteries a median of 4 instances per week, which equates to 208 instances per 12 months, the assured 5,000 cost cycles will present 24 years use,” says the analysis workforce.
When the robotic garden mower’s batteries are low, it should slide on its two extra PV panels and comply with the solar for quicker recharging. The typical battery charging time is 4 hours at 70% discharge. The system measures 850 mm x 450 mm x 400 mm and weighs 45 kg. Its chopping width is 40 cm and the chopping size is programmable between 25 mm and 75 mm. It mulches grass at a price of fifty meters per minute, overlaying an space of 1,200 sq. meters per cost.
The idea was first developed in 2020 and its feasibility was reportedly confirmed in a examine at Massey College in 2021. The mission underwent prototype testing in December 2022 and a working prototype was accomplished in January 2023. The workforce at Massey College began establishing meeting traces in New Zealand and Germany in February of this 12 months and is now making an attempt to collect buyer help by way of a Kickstarter marketing campaign. If profitable, it plans to launch the product in June and start delivery in August.
The merchandise have a two-year guarantee and price $,2630 in response to the Kickstarter marketing campaign web page.
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