Project Description:
Simulate the driving of a zero turn lawn mower similar to driving a race car on a stand-up video game at an arcade.
General Requirements:
- The machine is controlled via two arms each connected to a rear wheel. The speed of each wheel is independent of each other. As a result, the machine’s speed and direction are controlled via the two arms. Pulling an arm backward reverses the direction of its wheel.
- The user should have the ability to set the sensitivity of the arms.
- One major use of the simulator is to “train” new users to operate a zero turn machine.
- Visually show the progress of the mower on the lawn.
- Account for stationary objects like trees and moving objects like “Frogger” crossing your path.
- Design an algorithm for the mower to autonomously cut the lawn efficiently.
Plan of Approach:
- Use the Unreal Engine 4 as the fundamental environment for the game.
- With the UE4 enviroment, use its built in features to use joysticks on a controller to simulate the arms. Doing so should also allow for varying levels of sensitivity in the arms.
- Use Static Mesh textures to show a realistic looking grass before and after it has been cut. Static Meshes can also be used to create trees and other obstacles.
- AI features within the engine can be used to simulate both animals as obstacles and potentially a self driving lawnmower.
My Philosophy and Objective:
This game is meant to teach those unfamiliar with zero turn lawn mowers how to operate them. Some people have a fear of zero turn lawn mowers because they believe they are either dangerous or hard to operate. Having personal experience driving one, I felt that a combination of realism and enjoyable mechanics would remove such fears.
Looking Ahead:
