It also runs over children and small animals indiscriminately! Norlt one mention of safety features in the entire article is concerning.
This Autonomous Snow Blower Shovels on its Own, Recharges Itself, and Keeps Going
Submitted 3 weeks ago by Changelin@discuss.tchncs.de to technology@lemmy.world
Comments
ToTheGraveMyLove@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
If you go the the manufacturers website it mentions several safety systems; radar, camera and a physical bumper and grate to keep things from getting into the machine
Reygle@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
radar, camera
Translation: Does not function without active internet connection. Reports telemetry (including photos and video) of your personal property which is then sold and used for “marketing” surveilance purposes. Records when not in use/charging. If not already, volunteers all data to FLOCK
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
it mentions several safety systems; radar, camera and a physical bumper and grate to keep things from getting into the machine
There were 1,429 Waymo accidents reported to the NHTSA between July 2021 and November 2025. Injuries and Fatalities: There have been 117 injuries and 2 fatalities reported in relation to these accidents.
IphtashuFitz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Radar & camera can be degraded by snow/ice buildup. A grate that lets wet snow in is also going to be big enough to let rocks and other debris in.
ToTheGraveMyLove@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
That’s good to hear at least!
Ulrich@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
I watched a review of this thing and the guy had to hide in some bushes to film it because it would shut off every time he got near it. That being said, it required a lot of configuration and didn’t work too well.
ToTheGraveMyLove@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Lmao, that’s actually hilarious. Good to hear. In a world where business increasingly has little regard for human life and safety, I’m glad they’re taking it that seriously.
Lembot_0006@programming.dev 3 weeks ago
That’s the feature! Killer feature, I would say…
LodeMike@lemmy.today 3 weeks ago
Like every machine, only in certain conditions, which I assume the maker tries to hide as much as possible.
IphtashuFitz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Like snow or ice buildup causing issues with the camera, radar, etc.
black_flag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
I’m also thinking like…snow-blowers are kinda dangerous. How does it know it’s not about to chew through your limb or pet? Does it just charge through whatever? If it doesn’t do that, then does it get stuck randomly thinking it’s trying to keep you safe but actually there’s just snow in its way.
LodeMike@lemmy.today 3 weeks ago
Or it not being able to find its way back to the charging station
madnificent@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
This company overpromises and underdelivers as if it’s a Chinese competition to do so.
Source: own the lawn mower and blower
compostgoblin@piefed.blahaj.zone 3 weeks ago
What was wrong with a $10 shovel?
roofuskit@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
100 people die in the US every year from shoveling snow. Not everyone is fit for the team, and yet if you own property you are almost required to.
compostgoblin@piefed.blahaj.zone 3 weeks ago
Yeah, that’s fair. Snow blowers as a personal purchase have always felt silly to me, since if needed you could always pay for a shovel/plow service that just come when it snows, so you don’t have an expensive appliance sitting around that might barely be used. Now I’m wondering what the cost comparison would look like between the two. I suppose it depends on how much snow you usually get
frongt@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Pretty hard to use if you’re disabled.
Ulrich@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
The $10 shovel doesn’t clear the driveway for you…
melroy@kbin.melroy.org 3 weeks ago
Yes but no but yes.. but give me money!
RodgeGrabTheCat@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
My driveway isn’t nearly long enough to justify the cost but its very cool.
mrnobody@reddthat.com 3 weeks ago
I’ll take the version Wayne Szalinski makes that can be controlled by a large remote, then hire some random kid to do it while also searching for my own kids!
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
a 24-inch clearing width and is rated to handle snow depths of up to 12 inches in a single pass.
Cough[bullshit]cough
rjpayne@piefed.ca 3 weeks ago
Where’s the fun in that??
fubarx@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 weeks ago
“Your momma was a snowblower!”
Perspectivist@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
I’ve seen a few videos of this thing in action, and while I like the concept - especially that you can use the same device to mow the lawn too with the lawnmower attachment - it’s still quite painful to watch it work.
Especially with snow blowing, it’s just so disorganized: driving all over the place and making quite the mess. If I’m dropping 5k on an automatic snow blower, I don’t want to have to clean up after it.
whereIsTamara@lemmy.org 3 weeks ago
5k will go pretty far with the neighbor kid too.
Mac@mander.xyz 3 weeks ago
Shit, for $5k I’d sign up.
Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’ll take the cheap knockoff version that works better than this original (though worse than the current model) in ten years
someguy3@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It drives however you program it to.