A routine weekend task like mowing the lawn may soon become much easier to hand off to a machine. According to Chris Morris writing for Quartz, advances in navigation and mapping technology are helping robotic lawn mowers move beyond being a novelty and turning them into a practical option for everyday homeowners.
Earlier versions often required users to install guide wires around the yard and sometimes struggled with getting stuck or damaging the grass. Newer models are addressing those problems. Morris points to Segway’s Navimow X4 Series as a notable example among the growing number of robotic mowers on the market.
The Navimow X4 measures close to three feet in length and about two feet wide, giving it room for a 17-inch cutting deck. It also includes an all-wheel-drive system designed to handle steep terrain, with the ability to work on slopes up to 40 degrees.
Like most modern robotic mowers, the X4 trims grass using small razor-style blades positioned safely underneath the machine. Instead of cutting the lawn once a week, these robots are designed to mow frequently, sometimes every day. Morris compares the approach to shaving regularly rather than letting a week’s worth of stubble build up.
Robotic mowers are also quieter than traditional gas-powered machines and include safety features that stop the blades if the unit is lifted. The Navimow X4 is built to maintain lawns as large as roughly 1.5 acres and can even create patterned cuts such as parallel lines or checkerboards.
The main drawback is the price. The model starts at around $2,500—significantly more than a typical push mower, though still less expensive than many riding mowers. Morris suggests readers check his full article for additional details about the technology and available models.