The problem isn't so much finding the shortest path, but finding the right cost function that adequately matches human satisfaction. Not just distance, not just turns, but also knowing which areas are done, and other small factors.
That is exactly right as anybody who has done the work in a wrong way recognizes.
In a way, the computer science student may or may not have realized that he has stumbled upon one of the biggest problems in software development--the arrogance of ignorance.
Especially with lawn mowers, turns are highly weighted over distance. Also, if you are regularly mowing, then it's not so obvious what has been mowed and what not. So regularization and simplification of the path is even more important than turns so that you can discard whole plots in the to-do list.
Roomba's (RIP) don't have the same memory and turn weight function that humans do, of course.
For an employee the cost function is maximum wage for minimum work. Since at minimum wage, you're paid for your time, this means sweeping as badly and slowly as the minimum the manager accepts.
Hell, given that there is a social safety net, and you'll have costs to do the job (food, public transport, ...) you're probably even better off doing worse than that, and getting fired when the manager is "tired of your shit" or whatever.
Then you'll get unemployment, which is slightly less, but you can invest the time in cooking at home, and you'll eat better and have more money left over.
readthenotes1|1 month ago
In a way, the computer science student may or may not have realized that he has stumbled upon one of the biggest problems in software development--the arrogance of ignorance.
Especially with lawn mowers, turns are highly weighted over distance. Also, if you are regularly mowing, then it's not so obvious what has been mowed and what not. So regularization and simplification of the path is even more important than turns so that you can discard whole plots in the to-do list.
Roomba's (RIP) don't have the same memory and turn weight function that humans do, of course.
ghm2199|1 month ago
spwa4|1 month ago
Hell, given that there is a social safety net, and you'll have costs to do the job (food, public transport, ...) you're probably even better off doing worse than that, and getting fired when the manager is "tired of your shit" or whatever.
Then you'll get unemployment, which is slightly less, but you can invest the time in cooking at home, and you'll eat better and have more money left over.