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Name: Leaf Pickup Test

 

Purpose: To determine the proportion of leaves the “Yard Mess Eraser” is able to pick up after going over an area a minimal amount of times. 

 

Initial Conditions: A grassy patch (turf) lies on flat ground. On the turf, a series of leaves are placed in no particular pattern. The “Yard Mess Eraser” lies outside of the turf area. 

 

Materials: Small, approximately 3’ * 10’ turf, miscellaneous amount of leaves (collected from local wooded areas), “Yard Mess Eraser,” measurement scale. 

 

Pass or Fail Criteria: The device should be able to pick up 95% of leaves in a reasonable amount of run-throughs of the turf. It passes when accomplishing this. 

 

Procedures: 

  • Set Up the Testing Area

    Locate an area containing flat grounds, with no slopes

    Carefully Place the 3*10 ‘ turf sheet on the solid space 

    Secure turf with duct tape on edges, keeping it firmly attached to the ground

    Obtain a random amount of dry, Oak leaves 

    Oak leaves are readily available throughout the forest

    Group the leaves into small - medium sized groups (under 1 liter - 20 liters). This grouping of leaves is to be completely random for testing purposes. 

    Select a group of leaves, weigh it using a digital scale. 

    After measured, randomly spread a group of leaves on the set-up turf system. These leaves must be in a random pattern in order to simulate the randomness of nature. 

  • Test The “Yard Mess Eraser”

    Testing will consist of 100 trials - with three levels of independent variable (the amount of times the 10’ turf  is swept over by the device). This data ranges from 1 sweep, to 3 sweeps. 

    Physically move “Yard Mess Eraser” over the turf area - it should begin to collect leaves. The amount of times which the grass is gone over is dependent on the trial number. 

    After moving the device, collect all remaining leaves from the turf

    Weigh All remaining leaves

    Calculate the ratio of leaves left over to leaves picked up - this will allow an efficiency value to be declared for the product. 

 

Safety Considerations: The trials will take place within the single sheet of turf, the environment as a whole will be controlled. In addition, the test can be done by hand, reducing the risk of motor and battery -related lapses. 

 

Data: Data will be in the form of a percentage, measuring the percentage of leaves picked up. 

 

Name: Rocky Terrain Test 

 

Purpose: To determine if the device is able to withstand the usual rocky terrain expected of it. To determine the limited conditions on which the device must operate.

 

Initial Conditions: There must be flat terrain, with rocks randomly scattered throughout. 

 

Materials: Grassy turf, “Yard Mess Eraser”, randomly-collected, varying size rocks (grouped by diameter, ranging from 2-12 cm)

 

Pass or Fail Criteria: The Device must safely cross the terrain in order to pass. It cannot flip, turn unexpectedly, or stop - ignoring the impact of the rocks around it. 

 

Procedures: 

  • Set Up the Testing Area

    Locate an area containing flat grounds, with no slopes

    Carefully Place the 3*10 ‘ turf sheet on the solid space 

    Secure turf with duct tape on edges, keeping it firmly attached to the ground

    Obtain a random amount of variable-sized rocks

    Group the leaves into groups based on their approximate diameter. Each group should contain approximately 100 rocks, and diameters should range from 2 - approximately 12 cm. Also include a group of sticks of various sizes. 

    Randomly spread a group of rocks on the set-up turf system. These rocks must be in a random pattern in order to simulate the random roughness of nature. 

  • Test The “Yard Mess Eraser”

    Testing is done on a pass/fail basis - no data other than these variables is necessary to record. 

    Place the “Yard Mess Eraser” On turf, begin to run - observe how smoothly it runs

    If the device can reach the end of the turf, without slipping/turning/stopping, the test is a pass. Otherwise, mark as a failure. 

    Increase the size of the rocks after approximately 20 trials of one size. 

    Calculate the success ratio of each rock group tested - this can be used to measure device performance overall. 

 

Safety Considerations: This test is relatively self-contained, and will not be dangerous. There will be guide rails on the sides of the ramp to prevent the device from slipping.

Data: The Data will be collected on a pass/fail binary basis. If the device fails to advance, the trial will be considered a failure. 

 

Name: Feasibility Test (qualitative) 

 

Purpose: To determine if users believe that it would be preferable to use the Yard Mess Eraser, compared to other products 

 

Initial Conditions: Yard Mess Eraser exists in working condition, Large yard with varied terrain

 

Materials: Yard Mess Eraser, Yard, Rope/Tether string 

 

Pass or Fail Criteria: The User Judges that it would be feasible/beneficial to use the Yard Mess Eraser in a given situation. 

 

Procedures: 

Test The “Yard Mess Eraser”

  • Traverse the ground with the Yard Mess Eraser

  • Judge the device, to ensure that it runs smoothly

    ensure that the device undergoes terrain transitions, sharp turns, and slope changes

  • Record the performance of the device after every such event (turn, slope, long run with no failure, etc)

    Mark as either feasible or unfeasible to use

  • Repeat until 100 trails are finished. 

 

 

Safety Considerations: The Yard Mess Eraser will be tethered to a string, preventing excessive unnatural movements of the device. In addition, all batteries and wires are disconnected for this test, preventing excessive strain.

 

 

Data: The Data will be collected on a pass/fail binary basis. If the device fails to perform in a feasible manner while doing certain activities (turning, traversing terrain, transitioning, etc.), the trial will be considered a failure. 

 

Name: Radio Test

 

Purpose: To determine the accuracy of the radio, and the range of the device

 

Initial Conditions: There must be flat terrain, a measurement of evenly spaced, 1’ intervals. The Yard-Mess Eraser must be placed at the beginning of the intervals. 

 

Materials: Solid Ground, Yard Mess Eraser & Controller, Extended Measuring Tape 

 

Pass or Fail Criteria: The Device successfully respond to forward and reverse input from the controller, in a reasonable amount of time. 

 

Procedures: 

  • Set Up the Testing Area

    Locate an area containing flat grounds, with no slopes

    Place “Yard Mess Eraser at a flat location

    Extend Measuring tape from “Yard Mess Eraser” base, a total of 130 feet

  • Test The “Yard Mess Eraser”

    Testing is done on a pass/fail basis - no data other than these variables is necessary to record. 

    Stand 30’ from the Yard Mess Eraser. 

    Pull the trigger to move the motor forwardd. Reverse, to move the motor backwards. Move forward again. 

    If the motor responds accurately, mark as a pass. Else, fail. 

    Move Step backwards one foot. Repeat the test until 100 trials have been completed. 

 

Safety Considerations: This test is relatively self-contained, and will not be dangerous. The user will stand a long distance away from the signal receiver, taking them out of the way of potential battery or electricity hazards.

Data: The Data will be collected on a pass/fail binary basis. If the device fails to respond to movement, the trial will be considered a failure. 

 

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