A Technological Approach to Weeding Your Garden
This little invention really made my smile. No one would argue that weeding is a less than comfortable task. You get hot and worn out quite quickly. For me, my knees start to hurt and my back becomes really stiff. All of those complaints aside, this seems like comedic alternative. I guess this Aussi inventor was simply fed up with those little foam pads that you place under your knees or perhaps he got sunburned one too many times.
But all kidding aside, the Wunda Weeder, picture below, is a fairly ingenious creation. This solar powered rolling lounger could certainly change the way that people tend to their gardens. You would need a fairly large garden to really justify such a mechanism, but if you have such a need, the Wunda Weeder seems like the best solution you are going to find. Unless, that is, you are prepared to build a version of your own.
The assembly is really quite simple, though in my opinion, a little over-engineered. Above the occupant, there are two mounted solar panels that recharge the battery pack. The power stored up in the battery is used to slowly propel the Wunda Weeder along your garden, enabling you to pick out weeds and tend to your plants while lounging semi-comfortable position. Lying on your stomach isn’t a particularly natural position, but it would still be much better than crouching over every foot of your garden. The Wunda Weeder also shades the user from the sun and even includes a radio to provide some entertainment as you work.
Though currently only available in Australia, maybe the Wunda Weeder will start revolutionizing gardening in the U.S. in the near future. Then maybe you too can take on gardening while lying down.
via cnet
It would be good if they would license someone to manufacture this machine in North America so we could all have one. A few modifications would also help, such as foot controls for forward movement and direction thus leaving the hands completely free to weed and plant and avoid that awkward backward lifting of the arm to activate the forward control.
There are other similar machines available. One I have seen has side entry for the operator which is convenient. Maybe the WundaWeeder could be re-engineered to allow side entry too. I think interested persons would be happy to work with the inventor on improvements for a second generation machine, and I hope they will be interested in getting this little beauty over here in the USA/Canada. I can’t wait to have one!