Patrol Mode

Suggestion and Feature Requests
1

Patrol mode currently only follows patrol lines and only works with the SAM. Please add patrol functionality to ALL modules with the ability to use existing areas and pathways for the patrol.

Patrol lines are nice and I am not advocating for their removal. I think they serve a purpose. But they will wear patterns in the yard over time and not everyone wants to use it this way. But, they should be expanded to all modules as well.

Regardless of which module is attached, I should be able to quick patrol using one of my existing work plans and choose “Patrol” vs “Start” a work session. It should randomize its path across the area for the duration I specify for the adhoc patrol. It should start with the perimeter of the area and then break the rest of the area up into quadrants and patrol them.

If scheduling a patrol, it should randomize the route across the area(s) for the duration of the schedule.

When waypoint functionality is available, I should be able to tap a point on the map and have it drive there and patrol that point and the surrounding area in a randomized fashion.

7 Likes
2

@bryan.wheeler - Please help me understand the value of Patrol. Nobody liked my “Walk the Yard” feature which to me has some use, but Patrol to me seems even less useful. A slow bot looking for people, playing a pre-recorded message if it finds someone (ohhh, how threatening!). If I’m a crim I’m flipping the thing over and laughing at it as I’m whizzing on it. And it doesn’t even run the camera as it’s wandering about, AFAIK.

What am I missing? Should I slap the SAM on, draw a Patrol path, and see what it’s all about?

2 Likes
3

Well people with large properties I think it’s more important. It’s about deterrence not necessarily detection. For me, we have some foxes who have taken up residence in our back yard and have some fox pups under our shed. We have small dogs and a new puppy. Would love to be able to send Yarbo on patrol and scare them off before taking the dogs out. They probably won’t mess with the dogs, but you never know. I can’t currently do that with the M1 attached.

I agree this feature isn’t for everyone. But, as I mentioned in the other post about this topic, if I heard something in the middle of the night, I’d rather be able to sit in my bed half asleep and send Yarbo out to snoop around (figuratively, not literally since it won’t sneak up on anyone). Being able to watch the camera feed in real time will be the game changer for patrol mode. Also getting screenshots and or recorded video of the detections.

It does use the camera for detection of animals and people currently. And the SAM will also avoid obstacles now as of the most recent firmware. You should give it a shot and see. I would recommend keeping the flipping and urea out of the equation for it! :rofl:

4 Likes
4

I expect that the original intent, back when they were throwing post-it notes up on a wall, was that the core would path to a location and sit for some interval, monitoring (lights on or lights off, as user would specify), and then move to another location and wait for some interval, etc. Detection actions included warnings, push notifications, images, 2-way comms etc.

That behavior would be useful for protecting my neighbor’s arborvitaes from the deer that keep eating them, for example. Sit quietly, lights off, then, “HI!” lights on and “Great Southern Trendkill” blasts out. No more deer. Granted, my property would probably be overrun with metalheads looking to trigger it on purpose, but whatever. The core should be able to play Pantera to chase off detected deer, and Enya to chase off detected humanoids.

Bonus points (once the waypoint feature is complete) would be awarded if Yarbo’s team invented “monitor waypoints,” that could be added to an area without needing paths to connect them, such that

  1. The core could be instructed to randomly move between them in all areas selected for the plan, and
  2. It would avoid burning tracks into the grass that would reveal what a (current implementation) patrol path is,
  3. User would have a method to reduce the predictability of the patrol, or to create predictability in the patrol.

Cheers!

8 Likes
5

I love this. Yes, this too!

2 Likes
6

I like the stretch for the use cases. Don’t ever give up, you guys. :rofl:

I could see someone with a complex letting Yarbo wander a path and being the security guard’s eyes, BUT you can’t see the cameras if it’s Patrolling, so bzzt. Back to driving manually with SmartVision. Complexes usually have security cameras anyway.

Perhaps Yarbo will open an API for the unused ports so you can not only watch the cameras but do some action with some device on those ports. Like offer the crim a sammich, I know you’re thinking. Yes, wholesome things of that nature.

I did create a Work Plan once for the SAM with some Areas I had for the snowblower and ran it. I had no idea what the SAM did. It wandered around a little and yelled at me. Maybe that’s what it’s supposed to do. I’m used to getting that treatment at home.

OK, yeah, not for everyone, I guess! Glad it’s there – more junk in the trunk!

5 Likes
7

I like sammiches. Might have to take up crime if there’s a module for giving criminals sammiches. Just saying! :rofl:

@Ken you will never understand the complexities of the complexes of which are complex. Don’t give them a complex for their complex. It’s just way too complex for you to comprehend the complexities. :rofl:

3 Likes
8

Once Patrols are available for the M1, I’ll be using those spare accessory ports to power a paintball GAU. Yarbo will haul 3,000lbs of paintballs and I intend to use them.

6 Likes
9

Thank you very much for your suggestion. We completely understand your need to have the patrol mode available for all modules.

Currently, our product team has confirmed that, for the near future, patrol mode will remain exclusive to the SAM module. However, I will pass along your feedback to them for future consideration.

We also appreciate your idea of combining the patrol feature with waypoint functionality — it’s a creative and valuable input. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with us！

4 Likes
10

@Yarbo-Forum Don’t underrate the idea of using the Yarbo as a portable paintball turret. I could so see using my Yarbo as automated defense in a paintball battle :laughing: Gotta use those extra ports for something, right? :wink:

5 Likes
11

outstanding idea!

2 Likes
12

@bryan.wheeler @Yarbo-Forum Have any updates been made on this. Someone having a large property in the country this would be a great help. Same about something going on in the middle of the night. “I’d rather be able to sit in my bed half asleep and send Yarbo out to snoop around.” “Being able to watch the camera feed in real time will be the game changer for patrol mode. Also getting screenshots and or recorded video of the detections.” I could then see how I would like to handle the issues at hand. 10mm, 12 GA, AR15, or just some flash bangs. The music could be cool too. :wink:

2 Likes
13

Ahhhh the days of listening to a 50-cal burst for the 5:30 am wake-up call would make a great recording

Music to my ears

4 Likes
14

Sounds like they are gearing up for adding live video during operation, but it sounded like they were planning to charge a subscription for it (bad idea).

Fingers crossed. Live video is a much needed feature, and long overdue.

3 Likes
15

Nothing officially that I’m aware of. Live video in automation is coming as @rgloverii mentioned.

2 Likes
16

“bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do when they come for you” PLAY IT LOUD!!!

4 Likes
17

@dandbstephens Hi there, are you referring to the feature of having patrol mode available across all modules? If so, we’re sorry that this is not in our current plans yet. As for using smart vision during work plans, that is something we are actively testing right now. We really appreciate your idea and feedback!

18

@Yarbo-Forum Live video in automation. “Patrol mode currently only follows patrol lines and only works with the SAM. Please add patrol functionality to ALL modules with the ability to use existing areas and pathways for the patrol.

Patrol lines are nice and I am not advocating for their removal. I think they serve a purpose. But they will wear patterns in the yard over time and not everyone wants to use it this way. But, they should be expanded to all modules as well.

Regardless of which module is attached, I should be able to quick patrol using one of my existing work plans and choose “Patrol” vs “Start” a work session. It should randomize its path across the area for the duration I specify for the adhoc patrol. It should start with the perimeter of the area and then break the rest of the area up into quadrants and patrol them.

If scheduling a patrol, it should randomize the route across the area(s) for the duration of the schedule.

When waypoint functionality is available, I should be able to tap a point on the map and have it drive there and patrol that point and the surrounding area in a randomized fashion.”

“Well people with large properties I think it’s more important. It’s about deterrence not necessarily detection. For me, we have some foxes who have taken up residence in our back yard and have some fox pups under our shed. We have small dogs and a new puppy. Would love to be able to send Yarbo on patrol and scare them off before taking the dogs out. They probably won’t mess with the dogs, but you never know. I can’t currently do that with the M1 attached.

I agree this feature isn’t for everyone. But, as I mentioned in the other post about this topic, if I heard something in the middle of the night, I’d rather be able to sit in my bed half asleep and send Yarbo out to snoop around (figuratively, not literally since it won’t sneak up on anyone). Being able to watch the camera feed in real time will be the game changer for patrol mode. Also getting screenshots and or recorded video of the detections.Well people with large properties I think it’s more important. It’s about deterrence not necessarily detection. For me, we have some foxes who have taken up residence in our back yard and have some fox pups under our shed. We have small dogs and a new puppy. Would love to be able to send Yarbo on patrol and scare them off before taking the dogs out. They probably won’t mess with the dogs, but you never know. I can’t currently do that with the M1 attached.

I agree this feature isn’t for everyone. But, as I mentioned in the other post about this topic, if I heard something in the middle of the night, I’d rather be able to sit in my bed half asleep and send Yarbo out to snoop around (figuratively, not literally since it won’t sneak up on anyone). Being able to watch the camera feed in real time will be the game changer for patrol mode. Also getting screenshots and or recorded video of the detections.”

“Bonus points (once the waypoint feature is complete) would be awarded if Yarbo’s team invented “monitor waypoints,” that could be added to an area without needing paths to connect them, such that

  1. The core could be instructed to randomly move between them in all areas selected for the plan, and

  2. It would avoid burning tracks into the grass that would reveal what a (current implementation) patrol path is,

  3. User would have a method to reduce the predictability of the patrol, or to create predictability in the patrol.”

  4. Thanks for any help. Have a wonderful week.:wink:

3 Likes
19

Hi @dandbstephens ,

Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful suggestions about Patrol Mode. The ideas you’ve shared would definitely make the feature more versatile and practical, and we completely understand the value behind your feedback.

While optimizing Patrol Mode may not be our top priority in the short term, we truly appreciate your input — it provides great inspiration and direction for future development.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts, and we hope you continue enjoying your Yarbo experience! :herb:

2 Likes