Watch: Creator overview

Clemens Elflein · Original project source ↗

CAIBI ASSESSMENT

OpenMower

CAIBI VERDICTBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCE

A conversion that replaces the electronics in compatible robot mowers with GPS-guided, map-aware open hardware and software.

See what the build involves Original source ↗

Build or buy?

Compare the documented build with the purchase reference.

Build it yourself

Known parts cost£602Build total not establishedCore hardware only; donor mower and RTK extra

Time: Weekend+
Difficulty: 5/5
Physical processes: Electronics · Linux · Mechanical work

See build requirements →

Purchase reference

Buy price reference£849Mammotion YUKA miniRecorded 5 Sep 2026

Check the source for the exact model, availability and what is included.

Check comparison evidence →

Prices are not directly comparable

What the prices cover

The published core-hardware figure is not an all-in build total. A compatible donor mower and RTK route are additional major costs.

Includes: Published OpenMower core hardware allowance.

Not included: Donor robotic mower; RTK base/receiver where not included; Shipping and replacement mechanical parts.

Build evidence recorded 4 Sep 2026. Currency conversions are approximate.

The published OpenMower core hardware allowance is already about £602 / $813 before the donor mower and RTK hardware. A current wire-free Mammotion YUKA mini is £849 in the UK and has a $1,099 regular US price, so the missing build items are decision-critical. US availability rechecked 9 Sep 2026: the linked YUKA mini H page marks its models and bundles sold out. Its $749 sale display is not an available purchase quote; the $1,099 figure above is the dated regular-price reference. Check stock or another suitable model before deciding.

UK purchase/source reference ↗US purchase/source reference ↗

BUILD AT A GLANCE

Source view and main parts

Check the source ↗

OpenMower · Clemens Elflein ↗

PHYSICAL BUILD6 key parts or groups

No.	Source specification
01	Donor robotic mower chassis
02	OpenMower mainboard or supported universal board
03	Raspberry Pi 4 or supported compute route
04	RTK GNSS hardware
05	Motors and sensors from donor mower
06	Power and charging hardware

Full source specifications

Donor robotic mower chassis
OpenMower mainboard or supported universal board
Raspberry Pi 4 or supported compute route
RTK GNSS hardware
Motors and sensors from donor mower
Power and charging hardware

TOOLS / PROCESSES3 involved

Electronics
Linux
Mechanical work

The real-world work

YOU STILL HAVE TOThe real-world work

Modify the donor mower safely
Make the electrical and mechanical connections inside the machine
Install and prove the positioning hardware in the real garden
Test emergency behaviour, obstacle handling and unattended operation
Take responsibility for the safety consequences of a bad installation

THE BUILD SEQUENCE

How it comes together

1Preparation

Choose a supported donor platform
Start from the current compatibility information and confirm the donor mower condition before buying OpenMower-specific electronics.
YOU
Install the control hardware
Replace or integrate the mower electronics with the supported OpenMower board, compute and RTK GNSS hardware.
YOU

2Build and assembly

Install OpenMowerOS
Use the current image and setup docs to bring up the software stack and network connection.
AI + YOU
Verify motors, sensors and safety systems
Test movement and every safety-related input before autonomous operation. Physical emergency behaviour must be checked by the builder.
YOU

3Configure and test

Map and tune the lawn
Establish RTK position, map boundaries, test path planning and tune behaviour for the actual site.
AI + YOU

Benchmark this project

Use the OpenMower prompt. Compare what different models deliver, then add what happened when you tried it.

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View the project prompt

CAIBI adaptation · Prompt 1.0 · Project source

Prompt for OpenMower

CAIBI project benchmark: OpenMower
Prompt version 1.0

Help me build OpenMower using the existing creator project at https://github.com/ClemensElflein/OpenMower. This is a CAIBI benchmark adaptation of the project build brief, not a claim about how the creator used AI.

Project context:
- A conversion that replaces the electronics in compatible robot mowers with GPS-guided, map-aware open hardware and software.
- Build context: Donor robotic mower chassis; OpenMower mainboard or supported universal board; Raspberry Pi 4 or supported compute route; RTK GNSS hardware; Motors and sensors from donor mower; Power and charging hardware.
- Where AI helps: Configuration help, Code investigation, Diagnostics.
- Physical work: Modify mower, Wire hardware, Install, Map, Test safely.
- Main limitation: This is a substantial machine conversion involving electronics, Linux, mechanical work and outdoor safety. AI does not remove the consequences of getting those parts wrong.

Read the source first. Use its published design, files, dimensions and parts as the baseline; do not redesign it unless a missing detail requires a clearly labelled proposal. If you cannot access a source or verify a revision, say so.

Provide one practical build package:
1. Design and files: explain the source design, link the original editable files, and identify missing files or modifications.
2. Parts and fabrication: give quantities, exact variants and compatibility, plus a cutting or printing list where applicable. Preserve source dimensions; flag anything unconfirmed.
3. UK and US purchasing: direct product links, checked dates, stock, pack sizes, taxes, delivery and regional costs. Mark unverifiable details as unknown; do not invent links, prices or availability.
4. Assembly: an ordered guide covering fabrication, fitting, wiring or software as applicable, setup, checks and troubleshooting.
5. Cost and time: separate parts, fabrication, delivery, hands-on time and machine time, with assumptions and exclusions.
6. Function and ease: a test plan for the project's stated purpose, likely difficulties, required skills and any corrections or limitations.

Keep source facts, your proposals and items needing physical verification distinct. An estimate is not a measured build result. Do not claim to have built or tested hardware. Include failed attempts and omissions. If a section does not apply, say why.

Use the source as accessed during this run and record its revision or access date. The prompt is fixed; the linked source can change.

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Benchmark results 0

No reviewed results yet for OpenMower. Add the first result →

AI IN THIS PROJECT

Get AI help on this build

CAIBI · AI CAN HELP

AI can help with

Configuration help
Code investigation
Diagnostics

CAIBI · AI CAN'T DO

You still need to

Modify the donor mower safely
Make the electrical and mechanical connections inside the machine
Install and prove the positioning hardware in the real garden
Test emergency behaviour, obstacle handling and unattended operation
Take responsibility for the safety consequences of a bad installation

Original source AI use and prompts

SOURCEThe original project does not publish an AI prompt

The prompts below are CAIBI helpers for this build. They are not presented as instructions from the creator.

CAIBI STARTING PROMPTS

Copy a prompt for this build

Each prompt tells AI to keep the original project source as the reference and to flag anything you must verify on the real build.

Ways to take it further

AFTER THE FIRST BUILD

Ways to take it further

Different donor chassisUniversal mainboard routeCustom mapsHome automation integrationAlternative RTK base setup

More routes and resources

OTHER WAYS TO GET THERE

You do not have to follow one route.

ORIGINAL BUILDFollow the creator route

Use the published files and instructions as the baseline.

ALTERNATIVE PROJECTSesame Robot

A printable ESP32 quadruped using eight servos, an expressive OLED face and open animation/control software.

REVIEWED RESOURCES

Useful places beyond the main source

GITHUB REPOopen_mower_ros

ROS navigation, planning and state machine used by the OpenMower ecosystem.

GITHUB REPOOpenMowerOS

Operating system image used by the current OpenMower software route.

GITHUB REPOhw-openmower-universal

Universal mainboard hardware repository linked by the main OpenMower project.

DOCSOpenMower build documentation

Current step-by-step route recommended by the project for new builders.

SOURCE · CAIBI · BUILDERS

What supports the verdict

SOURCEClemens Elflein

Source available with active documentation and hardware ecosystem

Open source ↗

CAIBIBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCE

It can turn a compatible basic mower into a much more capable open platform. The case is strongest if you value control, mapping and modification rather than simply needing the grass cut.

Evidence: Strong

BUILDERSNo published reports yet

Actual time, cost, changes and outcomes appear here after submitted builds are reviewed.

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HAVE YOU MADE THIS?

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First-hand evidence improves the assessment

What we want to know

What happened when you actually tried to make it.

Did it work?
Actual time and cost
What did you change?
What was harder than the source suggested?
Would you build it again?