Luba Automower Part 3 | Testing out Signal Strength RTK & GPS!
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- Опубліковано 1 лип 2024
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In this video I am testing out the signal strength in various location across my property. I am looking for satellite signal as well as the radio signal from the RTK to the Luba and showing results.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
2:11 Fixing my RTK antenna
2:54 Mammotion App update
4:56 Test #1 - Far Distance
6:37 Test #2 - Blocked Signal
7:37 Test #3 - Up against house
8:28 Test #4 - Back corner yard
9:17 Test #5 - Between house & Camper
10:11 Test #6 - Far distance + Tree Cover
12:09 Summary - Навчання та стиль
I appreciate you uploading this info and the work that went into the testing. I needed this info!
Good vid, thanks. Mine's on the way. Can't wait!
So the issue with trees is that they don’t necessarily reduce the signal that much but they do introduce a lot of signal error so the receiver in the Luba cannot calculate an accurate position.
Signal error rates might cause the Luba to go from centimetre accuracy in the open to 1 meter accuracy under trees and of course 1 meter of inaccuracy could be enough to cause Luba to drive off a cliff or right through your veggie garden. So of course it will just stop until it can acquire a more accurate signal rather than keep driving and risk an accident.
RTK and gps in general just doesn’t work under trees.
The other think to note is the rtk receivers only job is not to send position information but to calculate how accurate gps is at a location and provide an offset to your Luba. Your Luba still needs a perfect GPS signal. Then the Luba calculates how accurate gps is at the location your Luba as at based on the current atmospheric conditions and it sends a signal to the Luba that basically says ‘hey dude, for every position you calculate, you should add 2 centimetres north and 3 centimetres east offset and then your calculation will be correct’.
That’s why both your rtk receiver and your Luba both need perfect gps reception all the time with nothing blocking them.
Good Video. Interesting content as you are exploring the limitations of the puppy
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for going the extra mile with the signal tests. So far you are the only reviewer of this product that has focused on the most important issue. The cutting and other features are a given it's whether the signal will work in worst case scenarios. Well done. I plan to pick this item up next year. I want to see it get a few updates after mass use this year before I take the plunge.
Probably a good idea. I got mine yesterday and are working to understand the relationship between the base station and the RTk antenna, too.
Thanks for watching…. I want to do an update but my RTK is dead…. Water ingress… waiting on a replacement and will update
How long did it take to get a new one ? How was it dealing with customer support ..@@thelonelandlord thanks for the videos
support responded within 3-4 days and then took about 2-3 weeks to get the new RTK.... editing an update video right now... turns out my old one was FULL of water. @@dragonhead48
Thank you for the additional information and showing some of the range capabilities. It will be interesting to see how it works underneath your shade trees.
I have the exact same question... if the RTK is good but it goes under tree coverage and satellite coverage drops... what happens? Does it just stop?
Good question… I do not have a lot of tree cover where the mower actually cuts grass so I can’t say, maybe someone else has experience and can chime in?
@@thelonelandlord Actually, thinking about your video... when you drove the unit under the camper and it lost GPS... the mower actually did stop, didn't it? I'm assuming it would just sit there and notify you via the phone app and the same would happen if the foliage of a tree blocked the GPS as well? BTW... thank you for this video update!
@@covertpuppytwo3857 so when I drove it under the camper I was using manual bluetooth control which basically allows you to drive it around like a remote controlled car... as far as I know if it loses signal under a tree, it will simply stop and report a 'poor positioning status' alert. The app, however does not currently support push notifications which is definitely an issue that I am anticipating them to resolve with a future update....
@@thelonelandlord Gotcha... thanks for that correction. Maybe you'll want to do a maintenance video on it ... seeing how's there issue about not hosing the underside anymore.
super helpful! Thank you.
thank you!
Thank you for this video. i should receive my Luba anytime soon now. If I understand it, the last line on the screeen "precision" express the positionning precision of Luba in meters for both axes x and y. When signal is good the precision is around .01 to .015, that is +- 1cm to 1.5 cm, that is quite impressive! Under your VR if I remember it was showing about 3 metres in both axes, that area could be a real challenge.
good to know, appreciate the info -- I am definitely learning as I go with trail & error...
Great video and analysis! How has the lack of satellite signal to the mower affected the areas where you were able to ultimately cut (eg, such as under tree cover)?
Have not had an issue with my tree cover, although I know I’ve seen some people who have… Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the information. Very useful. Just bought one in the UK. To install the antenna in the roof I've got the adapter and 10 metres extension. Do I have to keep the power supply sheltered from rain? Not sure how to run this to the mains...
good question... I don't see anything on the power supply that notes it is water-resistant or rated for outdoor use... maybe someone can chime in?
Is there a way to check whether or not i have enough open area for this thing to work before I commit to the purchase? Video was very good. I've also seen a unit (mower) that does not require the RTK module.
not that I'm aware of but this is a great question & would be a good feature. The new version (Luba 2) is advertised as being able to use its optical camera to help make up for any lags or problems with satellite signal
I'm in the try me stages with Luba. Was really looking forward to your comparison to the Huskavarna mower as I have no idea what differences pro or con each would have. Could you share your thoughts at least as to which one is better? Thanks. I am trying thru Jan with option to return. So far a few issues but does an awesome job mowing. Looks great! Even and straight.
Love it.. was about to do a comparison video but my RTK got water logged and damaged. Mammotion replaced it in a timely matter... Early on there were some valid points to debate between the Husqvarna & Luba, but since all of the software updates there is really no comparison... Luba excels in every way. Now, longevity and reliability is still an unknown however my Husqvarna has not been without its problems over the years also....
The RTK does not need direct line of site to the Luba as it's 900Mhz. The GPS that both the Luba and RTK see do need to be. Both the Luba and the RTK need to see the same satellites.
Source for 900Mhz link ?
The manual makes reference to the RTK using radio signals. I can confirm line of sight is not necessary from RTK to Luba. Direct view of sky for both (Luba and RTK) is of most importance.
@@jst8922 It's printed right on the antenna of the RTK.
I received my 3000 yesterday and going through the location motions today, a but frustrating but I'll manage. Do you leave the base station in the yard even when not in use or stow it in a shed or garage to keep it out of the direct sunlight and weather?
I have kept mine out all summer.... no recent videos however because I had RTK failure....waiting on replacement and will update
What about a mesh network to extend the signal? This would be very useful
Would this help with the connection of the mower to the satellites (because this is them main issue, e.g. under trees etc)?
Any issues with the mower getting lost, going outside the defined cutting areas after the RTK unit was securely mounted? Or to put it another way, Did the bad positioning status ever cause performance issues?
I have not had any positioning issues yet… the only times it hasn’t completed it’s mowing cycle so far were due to getting stuck in a deep rut or on a root.
Hey
From your test, it seems like housewall is not a problem. So do you think it would be a problem to mount the antenna on the attic? Our house i placed on the center of the garden, and it would be easy to get the cable up there.
I don’t think that would work… it would likely connect fine to the mower, but the RTK needs a clear view of sky to connect to satellites.
@@thelonelandlord Ahh, Thanks 👍
I am on the edge of buying one but I am very concerned about the support. You mentioned that Luba has been providing software updates?
Yep, at least two major app/firmware updates in the last month addressing issues and making upgrades based on feedback. They are active on their Facebook page and also provide a private Reddit group.
Great video! but i have a question, if luba loses contact with satellite will it still run on the antenna?
for example at 7:35 it has lost its position signal, will it stop running if it was mowing or can it still run using Ref. station?
My understanding is that it needs both to operate as it only uses the RTK to correct the satellite signal it is refusing….. It has gotten lost under the large pine tree in my front yard by losing satellite connection, so I had to expand my no-go area to keep it out from under that tree.
Thank you for your sharing! It's so useful for us...I wonder how to contact you?
How can I help you?
Cant say this about my. It has bad signal under tree and position lost, like they also said it theire tutorials. Rtk is a good precision old system. But it not should use as only system in a mover. A triangle calculation or a cam with ai has to be as additional support system.
I'm confused as to the power requirements. If the RTK antenna is on your roof while the power station is in the middle of your yard are both plugged in to something?
Both need 120v power - but do not have to be connected to each other. I have an extension cord running to my charging station currently until I decide on a permanent charging station location.
any determination as to why the Luba ultimately established mower satellite connection after your second attempt? ( @ 250 ft) Is it a learning issue? and it can pull weaker sat. as the AI figures it out.. Any idea what is the primary default? is it distance to RTK or sat. obstruction, primarily?? on the fence to purchase since by 1/4 acre lot is heavily shaded on the back 1/3......thanks
Hey Greg my initial thought is it is sat obstruction because my RTK connection seemed good. they just updated the app again and changed how they report signal strength, so I will have to take it out under those trees and see if there is any conclusive info...
@@thelonelandlord thanks, just trying to understand if the 250ft from the RTK is a contributor and a much less distance would play into this. thanks again greg
Does it ever hit a bumb, cut off, and throw a non-remotefixable mower lifted error? I love my Landroids but the bumping into a mole bump and cutting off for the day is annoying.
yes, it definitely does get stuck and cannot be moved remotely... I can say that the 4x4/rough terrain capability is much better than my Husqvarna 315 and it gets stuck far less frequently.... Also, it is easier to find the areas that it has trouble in because it is mowing in a repeatable pattern as opposed to guide-wire mowers that randomly cross over the lawn.
also easy to add a no-go zone to the area that it gets stuck in until you have chance to remedy it...
If needed, it is possible to have two RTK linked to the same Luba?
I believe someone asked on their Facebook group and they said 2 RTK's were possible
I asked a year or so ago when they were trialling in HK and was told no. My understanding is the principal job of the RTK is to provide the mower with a correction factor for the GPS. Presumably when mapping the area Luba will store the difference between the GPS as directly received and what the RTK receives. From this if there is drift in the GPS location it cancels out as Luba just has to navigate to a point with exactly the same difference to the GPS location signal the RTK is receiving and because the RTK is fixed Luba will be precisely placed. That is unless you allow the RTK to move!
If my supposition above is correct then if Luba has 2 RTKs it would need to receive and store 2 sets of difference figures for everything it maps. I'm sure it is possible but I doubt it is an inbuilt capability.
From the above, however, it would mean the link between Luba and RTK is not relevant to the location of Luba, hence as long as the link is maintained Luba will be correctly placed. Thus my question is can the link antenna of the RTK be remoted or even fed to one or more separate antennas with directional gain? In my case I have a hollow fibreglass flagpole, could I place the link antenna inside at the top?
Again if I am correct, other future options would be to feed the RTK information onto a home LAN so that whether the robot receives the LAN it gets the correction factor. Now that would be a really useful feature.
Like to get one but would I to try it out at my location first I trouble with Wi-Fi sometimes
Hi Mark - from what I understand, it doesn’t rely on WiFi unless you’re trying to access it remotely…. You can set up and control via Bluetooth, then it operates strictly via GPS
Thank u for this video！How can I contact you if I want to cooperate?
thanks for watching! -- what can I help with? if you're looking to purchase the mower, my referral link is: mammotion.com/?ref=lonelandlord