When Yarbo is blowing snow, the obstacle avoidance logic is focused on safety around people, pets, and vehicles. The Snow Blower continuously checks surroundings around the machine and in the direction it is throwing snow.
You will see the following behaviors if it sees a person during autonomous plan or returning to dock for recharging:
When a person or pet is detected within the following distances:
- The Snow Blower immediately pauses the auto plan
- The auger (snow intake) stops
- A voice alert plays (“Person detected” or “Animal detected”)
- Yarbo holds its position for about 5 seconds before resuming work
- The same pause and voice alert sequence occurs
- This prevents snow from being thrown toward the person or pet
💡 Tip: This feature helps ensure safety in open driveways or shared areas where people or pets may occasionally walk by during operation.
- Yarbo automatically stops and initiates an avoidance maneuver.
- It reverses approximately 0.3 m (≈ 1 ft) before navigating around the vehicle.
- It maintains a safe distance (~0.3 m / 1 ft)
- The snow chute angle automatically adjusts so snow is not directed toward the vehicle
- Once clear, Yarbo resumes its pre-set snow-throwing direction and continues the task.
When the Snow Blower is traveling on a Pathway or Sidewalk, the avoidance logic works differently than in open areas:
- If Yarbo detects a car or large obstacle blocking the Pathway, it will pause the auto plan and return to the Docking Station, rather than attempting to navigate around it in a confined space.
- If Yarbo is returning to recharge and encounters a car or large obstacle, it will stop immediately on the spot.
This behavior is intentional — it prevents Yarbo from rubbing against parked vehicles or blowing snow onto objects in narrow spaces where clearance is limited.