Plowing in your pajamas!
Area man builds remote control snow plow
Why go outside and shovel snow when you can scrape it away with the push of a button?

Drivers do a double-take when they pass Norman Pickering's house in Driftwood. He has built a remote-controlled snow plow. A camera mounted on the plow feeds a TV monitor that allows Pickering to steer it from the comfort of his home. A sensing device keeps the plow from straying. Alex Davis photos

Norman Pickering of Driftwood started assembling a remote-controlled snow plow in November, after his doctor suggested he refrain from shoveling due to health concerns.

Parts came from area shops, eBay and other sources. It's still a work in progress, but Pickering has already tested the plow and is almost looking forward to the next snowfall.

He's planning to add headlights and a PennDOT-style salt-spreader on the back.

From the comfort of his home, he manuevers the camera-equipped plow with a remote control, tracking its movements over a TV monitor.

An orange strobe light warns others that the plow is in operation. Should the machine stray beyond its range, it automatically shuts off.

Pickering said his early trials have elicited some odd looks from passersby who try to determine how the plow moves along, seemingly with a mind of its own!