Hyundai robot lawn mower. A. I-powered robotic lawnmowers help you reclaim your summer days

But they’re a lot different than that robotic vacuum in your living room.

It’s the middle of summer. It’s in the 90s. (Fahrenheit.) It’s so humid that even a short walk to the mailbox leaves you drenched in sweat. Mowing the grass is the last thing you want to do.

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It’s the middle of summer. It’s in the 90s. (Fahrenheit.) It’s so humid that even a short walk to the mailbox leaves you drenched in sweat. Mowing the grass is the last thing you want to do.

Unfortunately, last weekend was much the same. And now, your homeowner’s association is eagerly awaiting the chance to send you a nastygram. Even worse, your overly ambitious neighbor Tom cut his grass three days ago, so your front yard comparatively is looking more and more like a jungle.

Salvation (and a sweat-free Saturday), though, might be within reach thanks to robotics and artificial intelligence.

Just as the Roomba revolutionized vacuuming, robotic lawnmowers are hoping to transform lawncare. It is, in many ways, a fairly rudimentary technology at the moment, but manufacturers are leaning more heavily into A.I. to create more efficient machines that increase your spare time.

“We wanted to give people their weekends back,” says Greg Janey, vice president, residential and landscape contractor business at The Toro Company. “It could be a customer with an eighth of an acre who wants to spend time with family and friends. It could be a customer who has up to an acre…that…appreciates a yard that looks like a fairway every day.”

Toro is a newcomer in the robotic vacuum space. Its product, which doesn’t even have a formal retail name yet, will begin taking pre-orders this fall, with availability beginning in spring 2023. It’s not entering a crowded market, per se, but competitors are certainly out there. Husqvarna, Worx, and even Segway have products on the market already.

Robotic mowers tend to cost about the same as a rider mower, somewhere in the 1,000 to 1,500 range. And in the U.S., they represent less than 5% of the U.S. lawnmower market, estimates Katie Roberts, a senior product manager at Positec Tool Corp., which makes the Worx Landroid.

“Not a lot of people know they exist, and when they do find out, their minds are kind of blown,” she says.

The story is a bit different in parts of Europe, however.

“[Buyers were] initially early adopters, which is, I think, where you are in the States today, but now in Sweden, this is mainstream,” says Patrik Jagenstedt, director of advanced development at Husqvarna’s Robotics AI Lab. “If you buy a new mower, you would buy a robotic mower…It’s so much more than not having to do the lawnmower, it’s the relief, the peace of mind that you don’t have to think about it.”

Not a Roomba

Given their somewhat similar shapes and the seemingly random path in which they operate, it’s easy to lump robotic vacuums and lawnmowers in the same category, but the technology behind them is notable different. Vacuums bounce infrared sensors off of the wall and ceiling to get a sense of location. Outside, though, there’s no surface for those signals to rebound.

That’s why boundary wire, which sends out a low-power signal that the mower recognizes as a no-go zone, has been the perimeter marker of choice so far. Before they begin operating a robot mower, owners must mark the edges of their lawn, as well as cordon off areas like gardens and trees. (It’s a sometimes-frustrating process that takes more time than you might imagine.)

But change is in the works for some manufacturers. Husqvarna is moving towards a GPS-based system in its commercial models now, says Jagenstedt, and expects to launch that for consumer models in 2023 or 2024. And Toro’s forthcoming model will use a proprietary 3D vision technology called SmartZone, that creates a digital map of your property as you walk it along the perimeter and regularly learns more as it mows. Adjustments can be made in the accompanying app.

Landroid, says Roberts, is investigating two options: GPS (though it worries about interference from trees and, in some cases, the house, to the signal) and real-time kinematic positioning, which uses a base station to correct for interferences with the GPS.

What’s it like?

A wireless option will, frankly, be welcome by users. Setting up the boundary wire yourself is likely to take several hours depending on the area you plan to cover. (We spent over two-and-a-half hours prepping a yard measuring less than a quarter-acre for testing.) And if you don’t secure it flush with the grass or taut enough, you can pretty much count on the mower slicing the wire and having to do some impromptu repairs. (Electrical tape is your friend.)

But once that work is complete (and, in fairness, there are services you can hire to do that work for you), the hard work is done. We tested a Landroid Model M, which followed a seemingly random pattern around the yard, trimming the grass with a spinning disk with three rotating cutting blades.

The system communicates with its base/charging station via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the mower can be controlled from your phone. (An optional ultrasonic detection peripheral helps it navigate around trees and other obstacles.) And if the mower senses a downpour, it delays its daily scheduled cut by a time period of your choosing before venturing out. And the cut it provides is excellent.

When operating, the system is remarkably quiet compared to push and rider mowers—and could easily be run at night without disturbing neighbors. (Toro and Husqvarna say their systems are similarly silent.)

If someone is foolish enough to pick up the mower while it’s operating, it instantly shuts down. And should someone steal the system, it locks down, requiring a PIN code. (An optional peripheral on Landroid will also provide its location.)

Husqvarna’s device sounds an alarm if someone tries to abscond with the mower and has a GPS device built in. Janey says Toro’s will include a tracking device and also has an anti-theft code requirement.

The bigger picture

A.I. in the mowers themselves isn’t the end game. Husqvarna’s Jagenstedt notes that the company’s robots are open sourced, and can connect to Amazon’s Echo or Google digital assistants, letting them integrate with other products.

“We do not see that we will be completely owning this,” he says. “We should open our platform to other products.”

Toro has a different take, with plans to integrate its mower into a larger ecosphere of Smart yard products, from lighting to irrigation, which will be built off of the technology the company designed for golf courses and municipalities.

“I think there’ a growing level of homeowners that are extending their living experience into the outdoors,” says Janey. “And with that, the expectations of a Smart, connected experience come with that. The way that Toro as a company is able to leverage our more enterprise technologies, everything we do is designed around outdoor technology.”

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Best robot lawn mower for large lawns – top 5! (2023)

Do you have a large lawn you want to avoid having to mow yourself? Get a robot lawn mower built to mow large areas. We have reviewed the best models on the market and know which ones work on large lawns.

We regularly review robotic lawn mowers. Each model is tested under a wide range of conditions and during a long period of time. What we’ve come to understand is that the robot lawn mowers perform extremely differently depending on the conditions in your garden. For example, one robot can give excellent mowing results on a lawn with a slope when the dirt is very dry, but will just get stuck if the dirt holding the grass is damp. Another mower could have the opposite pros and cons. Factors such as lawn complexity, outdoor temperature, weather, robotic lawn mower’s problem-solving ability, hardware, etc. all determine the outcome for the robot. You want a robotic lawnmower that does a great job in all these conditions. And in this case, also is able to mow a large lawn time efficiently.

What to consider when buying a robot lawn mower for a large lawn

Check out our reviews to gain an understanding of what pros and cons each tested model come with, or move on and read our in-depth review of the particular robotic lawn mower you’re interested in.

Husqvarna Automower 430X – BEST ROBOT LAWN MOWER FOR LARGE LAWNS

Can mow bigger lawns than promised

Husqvarna Automower 430X is one of Husqvarnas biggest lawn mowers for private gardens. It has a lot of perks: it’s both intelligent and reliable, but also has a great set of modern features such as cellular connection with GPS so you can keep track of it from your phone and for it to know where it has mowed recently, and where it should mow next.

This robotic lawn mower works on almost all types of lawns from 0.8 acres up to 1.2 acres without having to go out and mow more than a couple of hours each weekday. If you have an even bigger lawn you have the option of choosing Husqvarna Automower 450XH instead, it’s recommended for lawns around 1.25 acres but just like the little sibling it can mow bigger lawns than that.

The Husqvarna Automower 430X is also available in a tall grass setup for grass such as rye, bahia kentucky 31 and tall fescue, this model is named Husqvarna Automower 430XH. The only thing differing them from each other is the cutting height. On the 430X it is 0.8-2.4 inches, and on the 430XH it is between 2-3.5 inches. High cut is important in the states up north, while you can pick the standard 430X if you live in one of the southern states. Other than this, they have the exact same features.

Husqvarna Automower 430X has cellular connectivity. If it gets stuck, which is almost never does, it will notify you on your phone. You can see it on a map, and get information on what is wrong. You can also set cutting height, corridor width, work schedule and other important features directly through the app. You don’t even have to be close to the robot to do this, you can be at work or whatever. If you don’t use the app you can also program the robotic lawn mower via a nice, big, user-friendly display.

This is a great choice if you only value time efficiency and have a pretty even lawn. RS630 has double blades underneath and moves with sufficient speed over the lawn. Since the cutting width is so big it mows a very big lawn, around 1.2 acres and more is no problem, in a short period of time. Especially if the lawn is like an open field with very little complexity.

The build quality is pretty bad considering the price, far from the best we’ve ever tested. You will have to take good care of it if you live in a place where there is a cold season once a year.

The battery is sensitive to cold conditions. We’ve had two Robomow RS630 reviewed, one U model and one Pro. Both had problems with the battery after the winter even though both were stored under dry but cold conditions in a garage. The other robotic lawn mowers survived, while the Robomow robots needed to have their batteries exchanged. Also one of the Robomow robotic lawn mowers had a sensitive chassi after bumping into a brick wall in the garden, sometimes it stopped after that saying the bumper had been pressed even though it hadn’t.

The robot is not very modern or user friendly, and also makes a pretty loud sound when mowing. But it’s very time efficient! So if you have a big lawn and a limited budget this is a great choice.

How to Find the Right Robotic Mower for Slopes

You have a lawn with a rather large incline and you do not know which robotic mower is suitable for it? Here I want to show you what to look for when choosing your robotic mower, and at the same time give you an overview of the models that come into question. How do I find the right robotic mower for slopes? When choosing the right robotic mower for slopes, the most important thing is that it is designed for the slope in question, as not all robotic mowers have the same climbing ability. Equally important is the area output, which should be chosen somewhat more generously here due to the gradient. Other factors are also taken into account, such as fallen fruit or a lot of foliage. But what exactly are you looking for? Are the specifications of the robotic mowers correct regarding their climbing ability? What other functions do you have to look out for? I have dealt with this thoroughly in the following article.

What Are the Most Important Factors for Robotic Mowers on Slopes?

Fitness of the Robotic Mower for Steepness

One of the most important features of robotic mowers when steep terrains are involved is their ability to climb. Mowing robots can cope with terrain of varying steepness, depending on their design. Virtually all robotic mowers can manage gradients of up to 25%. However, many newer models are now also designed for 35%. In the higher price segment, you will also find a number of robotic mowers that can manage 45%. Beyond that, the selection narrows significantly. Some models can achieve 50%. Husqvarna now has four-wheel drive models that handle an amazing 70%, but are also very expensive (Automower 435X AWD and Automower 535 AWD). Imperative for determining the gradient that can be mastered is the strength of the engine, the weight of the robotic mower, the number of wheels (there are 3 or 4-wheeled models), and the design/material of the wheels.

Area Output of the Robotic Mower on Slopes

But the climbing ability of your mower is not the only thing that’s important. Another important factor that plays a role is the area output. This applies to all lawns, of course. The robotic mower must be designed for the size of the area. A certain amount of leeway is always important, especially since the maximum area output specification usually assumes that the robotic mower mows 12, 18, or sometimes even 24 hours a day (this depends on the manufacturer). However, the robotic mower will probably not be on the move in your yard for 24 hours, e.g. so as not to disturb your or your neighbor’s sleep, or so that children can play safely on the lawn. Many owners program their robotic mower so that it only mows in the mornings during the week, for example, when nobody is at home, or in the evenings. The data also assumes optimum conditions, i.e. an uncomplicated area with few bends, and grass that is easy to mow. And above all, it also assumes only very slight inclines. On steep surfaces, the robotic mower has to use considerably more energy and also slows down somewhat when it has to drive uphill. This drains the battery more quickly and the robotic mower must return to the charging station earlier. This reduces the area output once again significantly. Unfortunately, the effect is also not compensated by driving downhill. Many robotic mowers even brake extra so that they do not drive downhill too fast.

Can I Trust the Information on the Climbing Ability?

The data on climbing ability are usually very optimistic and assume very good conditions. How well the robotic mower can actually master a slope, however, also depends on the nature of the ground. Depending on the type of soil and the type of lawn, it may end up being more difficult for the robotic mower to climb the slope. For example, if there are a lot of leaves on the lawn, this can make it difficult for the robotic mower to climb uphill, especially if they are also wet. In general, wet conditions can also cause difficulties, as the robotic mower can slip more easily or its wheels can spin when the ground is damp.

Many Robotic Mowers Need a Run-out Zone

You must also pay attention to what the maximum gradient refers to. In most cases this means that the robotic mower drives up the slope in a straight line. But what if it has to turn while on the slope because it encounters an obstacle or the boundary wire? Then it becomes more complicated. Most robotic mowers need an exit zone for turning. Husqvarna in particular makes this very clear in the instructions for its Automowers. The gradient at the boundary wire should not be too steep, but should be run a few meters with a maximum gradient of 15%.

Here the robotic mower turns very often. And many robotic mowers do not get this right on steep slopes, slip down and leave massive damage to the lawn after not too long. In addition, when the robotic mower hits the cable, it must reset by a couple of inches. Many robotic mowers on steep inclines also fail to do this.

What Are the Differences Between Robotic Mowers for Steep Slopes?

Wheels and Wheel Drive for Coping with Inclines

The robotic mower manufacturers use different wheels for their models. Mowing robots that are particularly good at coping with different terrain conditions generally have larger wheels.

In addition, some manufacturers use special wheels for their models that are able to cope with steeper gradients and are equipped with smaller cleats. This means they slip less in wet conditions and on slopes.

Some models can be retrofitted with special equipment sets, such as off-road kits or terrain kits. Most Husqvarna robotic mowers can be equipped with such kits.

These wheels not only have better traction due to their lugged tread pattern, but are also slightly heavier. However, they also leave slightly deeper tracks. In addition, more debris gets “stuck” on the wheels when the lawn is wet. This can be counteracted by mounting special wheel brushes, but these in turn increase the volume a little.

Another difference is the number and size of the wheels. Larger wheels are generally better able to cope with impassable terrain and help the lawn robot cope with inclines.

But more important is the difference between 3 and 4-wheeled models. 3-wheeled models have more problems with difficult terrain, especially when it comes to steep inclines. Here they can tip over more easily, for example when they are driving up a slope at an angle.

And finally, robotic mowers can be differentiated according to rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. As with cars, robotic mowers with four-wheel drive are more “terrain-capable”, can cope better with inclines and are also more capable of turning on slippery slopes. Mowing robots with front-wheel drive have slightly better turning technology. They are able to turn in a flowing movement while the machine is running, which can be an advantage when navigating on a boundary wire, especially on steep slopes.

An example of four-wheel drive: Husqvarna models that can handle up to 70% gradients (Automower 435X AWD and Automower 535 AWD) are equipped with four-wheel drive. They can also turn on slopes, as this impressive video shows.

As you can also see here, the wheels are all the same size, which of course offers a certain advantage and is due to the fact that all wheels drive the robotic mower.

I don’t know about you, but I would find it quite challenging to mow a lawn with 70 % incline with a regular mower, so the Atomower 435X AWD is quite an impressive robot.

Inclinometers and Software

Robotic mowers that are designed for inclines have inclination sensors that enable them to recognize how steep the current incline is. They can make decisions based on this. How well they handle the information from the tilt sensor naturally depends on their software.

Many robotic mowers are at least Smart enough to brake when they notice that they are rolling down a steep slope. But also turning and turning around at such steep places is very problematic, as I already mentioned above. So the software can also try to make intelligent decisions here that protect the lawn and prevent the robotic mower from slipping.

How Smart the software is in this respect depends on the manufacturer, the model and even the software version. Software updates often bring further significant improvements. With software updates, however, the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” applies: If your robotic mower runs without problems, don’t make any updates, as these can also cause new problems. If, on the other hand, it has problems, e.g. in some steep places, a software update can make improvements.

What Other Factors Are Important for Robotic Mowers on Slopes?

All other decisions you make when choosing a robotic mower ultimately affect robotic mowers on level surfaces, as well. The only thing that concerns steep areas specifically is the question of how many obstacles are in the steep part of your lawn.

If your incline is also a forest of trees, it will be especially difficult for a robotic mower to navigate, as it will constantly bump into something, be it the boundary wire that excludes a tree, or the tree itself. Even robotic mowers that are designed for such an incline may not be able to cope.

For such special cases it may be necessary to use a robotic mower with four-wheel drive.

Which Models Are Suitable for Steep Terrain?

In general, some models of the brands Husqvarna, AMBROGIO, WIPER and Honda are suitable for steeper gradients. Very important and often misunderstood: most robotic mowers cannot turn on steep gradients.

Here is a list of some models which can handle 45% or more gradients.

As for robotic mowers that can easily turn on steep slopes, there are only a few so far. Such a robotic mower must either have four-wheel drive or very intelligent software in combination with the right wheels, as described above.

So far I only know the two models of Husqvarna with four-wheel drive:

Related Questions

How is the gradient in the lawn calculated? The gradient is usually given in percent (%), sometimes also in degrees (°). To calculate the gradient in percent, the increase in height of a specific stretch of land is divided by the length of said stretch of land. For example, if the top of the slope is 5 ft higher than the bottom, and the amount of horizontal distance covered by the slope is 20 feet, the slope is 25%.

How is degree converted into percent for gradients? To translate a gradient from degrees to percent, you need the trigonometric functions, more precisely the arc tangent. The formula for converting this is

Angle in percent = tan(angle in degrees) x 100%

Husqvarna’s 4G Automower 115H robot lawn mower hits new low at 700 (50% off) in New Green Deals

Are you tired of mowing the yard from spring through fall? Well, Husqvarna’s Automower takes care of the dirty work so you can stay inside and cool. The 115H model with built-in 4G connectivity is currently on sale as we head into Black Friday for an impressive 50% off. Down to 700 from its normal 1,400 going rate, this marks a new all-time low that we’ve tracked, making now the best time yet to pick up the Husqvarna Automower 115H. We also have a wide selection of Tesla and e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.

Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Forget mowing the yard and let robots do it for you

Through the end of the year, Husqvarna’s official Amazon storefront is offering its Automower 115H 4G Robot Lawn Mower for 699.99 shipped. Also matched at Lowe’s. Down from 1,400, today’s deal marks a new all-time low that we’ve tracked and comes in with a full 50% in savings. For further comparison, our last mention of the 1115H was 960. While you might be used to seeing us over at 9to5Toys feature deals on robotic vacuums, did you know that the same technology could be applied to lawn mowers? Well, Husqvarna did just that with its Automower line, and the 115H is a solid choice all around. It can handle up to 0.4-acre lots with ease and is even weatherproof so you can schedule it to mow day or night in just about any weather. However, this model features built-in 4G connectivity which means that you can control it from Smart home gear like Alexa and Assistant. Plus, if it needs to charge mid-mow, then it’ll head back to its base to top off before finishing the yard. Of course, the Husqvarna Automower does all of this without a single drop of gas or oil, making it an eco-friendly solution as well.

Automate winter heating with a 40 discount on Google’s latest Nest Thermostat at 90

Amazon is now offering the Google Nest Thermostat for 89.99 shipped in several styles. Down from the usual 130 price tag, today’s 40 discount is delivering the first discount in months while also arriving at one of the lowest of all-time. Arriving as the latest in-house option for bringing voice control and scheduling to the climate control system, Google Nest Thermostat arrives with a refreshed form-factor that’s centered around a frosted glass aesthetic with LED display. Ideal for keeping things comfortable without lifting a finger this winter, you can leverage Assistant to fight back against the cold with voice controlled or even automated heating. Get a closer look in our hands-on review.

WORX cert. refurb. 80V backpack blower clears leaves and snow for 315 (Orig. 699)

The official WORX eBay storefront is offering its certified refurbished Nitro 80V Brushless Backpack Blower for 314.85 shipped. For comparison, in new condition right now this blower goes for 599 at Amazon and it originally retailed for 699. Today’s deal marks a new all-time low that we’ve tracked. Designed to run on four of the WORX 20V batteries (all four of which are included), this blower delivers ample power to your yard work this fall or winter. There’s a variable speed trigger as well as a turbo button to deliver additional power to your cleaning kit. The motor is brushless as well which means that it can deliver a longer runtime before it fails. You’ll find two air intakes as well for greater air volume output, and the sonic turbine technology can deliver up to 800 CFM of airflow. Being a backpack-style blower also means that it’ll be easier to use overall, as the bulk of the weight is on your back and shoulders, not on your arm. Plus, all of the batteries work with your existing WORX 20V, 40V, or 80V tools, making the entire gas- and oil-free kit even more versatile. Ships with a 2-year warranty.

New Tesla deals

After checking out the Husqvarna Automower on sale above, if you keep read, you’ll find a selection of new green deals that will make your Tesla experience better in multiple areas. From storage to keep recordings on to phone mounts, car chargers, and anything else we can find, it’ll be listed below. Each day we’ll do our best to find new and exciting deals and ways for you to save on fun accessories for your Tesla, making each trip unique. For more gift ideas and deals, check out the best Tesla shop. Keep reading on for e-bike, Greenworks, and other great deals.

• SimpleTire offers up to 20% off thousands of tires
• Discount Tire offers up to 100 off or more on Cooper, Bridgestone, and other tires
• Model 3 CupHolderHero: 12 (Reg. 14)
• Spigen OneTap MagSafe car mounts now up to 38% off starting at 27 via Amazon
• Bring MagSafe to your ride with iOttie’s premium Velox car mount at 42.50

New e-bike deals electric scooter discounts

You can use an e-bike or electric scooter for fun, exercise, or even transportation to and from work or the coffee shop. We have several people here that will regularly commute to coffee shops or offices on their e-bike, as it cuts down on fossil fuel usage as well as allows them to enjoy some time outdoors on nice sunny days. Below, you’ll find a wide selection of new e-bike deals and electric scooter deal in all price ranges, so give it a look if that’s something you’d be interested in picking up. As always, the newest e-bike deal and electric scooter discounts and sales will be at the top, so shop quick as the discounts are bound to go away soon.

• Hit the road with up to 790 off Huck Cycles
• Hover-1’s Blackhawk electric scooter with 28-mile range hits new low at 405
• Juiced e-bikes 0% APR financing available
• Micah Toll’s favorite low-cost folding electric bike, the Lectric XP 2.0: 999 (Reg. 1,099)
• Kent Electric Pedal Assist Mountain Bike: 698 (Reg. 998)
• Gotrax’s just-released G MAX electric scooter sees first discount at 100 off, more

Additional New Green Deals

After shopping the Husqvarna Automower on sale above, be sure to check out the other discounts we found today. These new green deals are wide-ranging from outdoor lawn equipment to anything else we find that could save you money in various ways, be that cutting gas and oil out of your life or just enjoying other amenities that energy-saving gear can bring. As always, the newest deals will be at the top, so shop quick as the discounts are bound to go away soon.

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