Are you tired of spending hours pushing around your lawnmower in the summer heat? Do you wish you had more time to enjoy the sunshine while your lawn gets the attention it needs? Robot lawn mowers are here to save the day!
What are robot lawn mowers and how do they work?
Robot lawn mowers are small, autonomous lawn-care units that map out and mow your lawn entirely on their own, with no labor required on your part. They typically rely on mapping technology, GPS, or limiting systems like perimeter wires to determine the extent of your property, and then they pass over your lawn in patterns, mowing as they go.
Advancements in navigation tech have made them more accurate and efficient
Recent advancements have made robot mowers even more precise and useful. According to Chris Price, senior manager of robotics engineering at Husqvarna, the newest models no longer need to rely so heavily on older navigation tools like buried perimeter wires.
“Precision satellite navigation with RTK technology, such as Husqvarna’s EPOS system, revolutionized the robotic mower space by eliminating the need for physical boundary wires,” Price told CNET.
This new nav tech has unlocked advantages beyond just more-precise mowing and mapping. According to Price, the new tech enables “incredibly efficient mowing patterns that can double the area capacity, reduce the installation time and maintenance” and leave your lawn looking perfectly striped in a way only traditional mowers have previously been capable of.
Robot lawn mowers vs. traditional lawn mowers
Most robot lawn mowers are battery powered, meaning you don’t need to worry about refueling them the way you do many traditional push or riding mowers. After they’ve completed a mowing cycle, they’ll return to a charging dock, much the way robot vacuums do, and refill their battery while waiting for the next call to action.
- Robot mowers save you time: Instead of spending hours yourself each week, pushing or driving a traditional mower around your yard, you can lounge around in the sunshine deckside or attend to other chores while your robot buddy does your landscaping for you.
- Robot mowers are quieter than traditional mowers: Especially the gas-powered variety with their deafening engines, robot mowers are also quieter than even electric push mowers, which have larger, noisier blades and other components.
- Robot mowers can get into smaller areas than some larger traditional mowers can: That said, they’re not without their weaknesses.
Pros and cons of robot lawn mowers
We’ve contrasted robot mowers with traditional mowers above, but they have some other advantages that may not be immediately evident.
- Environmentally friendly
- Can improve your lawn’s health and appearance
- Lawn maintenance even while you’re away
- No annoying grass clippings to deal with
- Savings over time
However, there are also some downsides to robot mowers.
- High up-front cost
- Can struggle with mowing complicated lawns
- Maintenance costs
- May struggle with fine edge cutting
Are robot lawn mowers worth the money?
The answer is a qualified yes. A robot mower will be more valuable to some homeowners (or renters required to maintain a yard) than others.
Robot mowers also aren’t an ideal fit for anyone with a complicated lawn that has lots of uneven surfaces, changes in elevation or large obstacles.
But if you have a large yard, and particularly if it’s got lots of broad, flat spaces without many obstacles, a robot lawn mower can be a time saver.
This is especially true for small businesses with large grassy areas — they’ll appreciate the savings-over-time aspect of a robot mower that sees lots of regular use.
A robot mower is also a no-brainer for anyone who’s extremely busy during the week and doesn’t want to burn their precious weekend hours doing boring manual labor.
The future of robot lawn mowers
We’re finally hitting the point where broad adoption of robot mowers looks more likely.
Improvements in communication between mower units and GPS systems; better and more accurate boundary marking; and better built-in lidar or camera systems mean mapping improvements and more-accurate mowing.
At the same time, more-efficient drive and power units mean that even smaller robot mowers may soon match the power of some of the current push and riding options.
Ultimately, the decision to invest in a robot lawn mower comes down to your individual needs, so consider carefully whether the up-front cost is worth the convenience, time-savings and potential long term savings a high-tech lawn buddy can provide.
FAQ: Robot Lawn Mowers
Q: What is a robot lawn mower?
A: A robot lawn mower is a small, autonomous lawn-care unit that maps out and mows your lawn entirely on its own.
Q: How do robot lawn mowers work?
A: Robot lawn mowers rely on mapping technology, GPS, or limiting systems like perimeter wires to determine the extent of your property, and then they pass over your lawn in patterns, mowing as they go.
Q: Are robot lawn mowers environmentally friendly?
A: Yes, most robot lawn mowers are electric, which means they don’t produce emissions and are a more environmentally friendly option than traditional gas-powered lawn mowers.
Q: Can robot lawn mowers improve my lawn’s health and appearance?
A: Yes, frequent mowing with a robot lawn mower can encourage lateral grass growth, which results in a denser, healthier lawn.
Q: Are robot lawn mowers worth the money?
A: The answer is a qualified yes.
