We Automated our Tech Lawn - Mammotion Luba 3 AWD

The focus is on automating exterior grooming for a "tech house of dreams" using a Mimotion Luba 3 robotic lawnmower. The goal is a completely automated system where the garage door opens, the Luba 3 mows the lawn, returns to the garage, and the door closes, all without human intervention. The first step is to upgrade the 40-year-old "dumb" garage door opener to be smart home ready. This is achieved using a Tailwind IQ3 controller, which includes a door sensor. The installation involves mounting the door sensor on the garage door, connecting the IQ3 to the existing garage door opener, and then plugging it into power. The Tailwind IQ3 is chosen for its low latency, reliability, and included door sensor, simplifying the setup compared to a basic relay. Cable management is addressed, though some adhesive issues lead to using zip ties for securing wires. Once connected, the IQ3 is synced with its app, demonstrating successful control and real-time status updates from the door sensor. Next, the Luba 3 robotic lawnmower is set up. The 5000H model is chosen, featuring a higher blade height range. Assembly is minimal, involving attaching a front spring-loaded pressure bar for obstacle detection and safety bumpers. The Luba 3 is designed for large lawns (e.g., 5400 sq ft between charges) and boasts accurate lawn mapping capabilities. It comes with a 4G SIM card for positioning via iNavi service, eliminating the need for an external RTK antenna. Power for the Luba 3's base station is provided by two Bluetti AC300 power stations, ensuring sufficient capacity for its 210-watt fast charging. The Luba 3's setup is completed through its app. After detection via Bluetooth, the iNavi Net RTK positioning mode is activated. The lawn is then manually mapped by "walking" the mower around the perimeter, utilizing its LiDAR and computer vision to create a 3D map. A "no-go zone" is created around specific obstacles to protect the blades. The initial mowing height is set to 8 cm due to the existing grass length and thickness. Finally, the home assistant automation is configured. Initially triggered manually, the system is designed to open the garage door as the mower starts its job. Once the mower reaches the lawn, the garage door closes. When the mower's progress is at least 95% or it begins returning to the dock, the garage door reopens. After the mower is fully docked, the garage door closes, completing the automation cycle. The Luba 3 demonstrates effective mowing, even through thick patches, and its four independently driven motors allow it to handle slopes up to 38 degrees. Obstacle avoidance is tested by placing items on the lawn, which the Luba 3 successfully navigates, thanks to its AI detection of over 300 common lawn obstacles. A night mode is also available for detecting animals. With the schedule adjusted to once a week and the blade height optimized, the system is deemed "set and forget" for the summer.