RE: Cat Detector Using Sand #2 : The Implementation

DAB — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 18:59:18 GMT

Nice project.

Are you going to add a scoop for the cat deposits?

DAB

RE: Cat Detector Using Sand #2 : The Implementation

dougw — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 17:34:22 GMT

Wow, a beach-grooming robot.

Maybe a steam roller concept would work.

Maybe a rake instead of a grader - the footprints would show up as flattened areas.

Maybe a rake in front of your grader would work.

RE: Cat Detector Using Sand #2 : The Implementation

beacon_dave — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 15:39:29 GMT

"I did think this might happen but I am always optimistic as it does seem reasonable that if a dent is made in the sand that the displaced sand must be raised up somewhere, so that when the mobile robot passes over it will all be smoothed out again. Sadly, it doesn't quite do that. It will need some sort of sand 'fluffing' up mechanism to move sufficient sand above the level of the plough under the mobile robot."

You may need two blades set at an angle such that on each pass it tends to push the raised sand inwards toward the centre, with left to right on the forward traverse and right to left on the reverse traverse. Perhaps try it by hand first to see if the theory works. Could be one blade that rotates or two blades that raise/lower alternately...

This project is interesting as I've been thinking about the possibility of a self-levelling rake for a while.