The Robo-Mower
The self-propelled Robo-Mower
with an electronic brain and sports car styling. Guided by perimeter wires held
in place by plastic pegs, the Robo-Mower first trims the edges of your lawn.
Then, using an electronic compass, ultrasonic sensors, and sensitivity bumpers,
it cuts the interior approximately ten times, ensuring a minimum of missed
spots, if any.
The mower cuts a swath 26 inches wide with six front and three rear selectable
mower heights, ranging from three-quarters of an inch to three inches. Its
powerful electric motor is emissions-free and quiet, making it a welcome relief
from the noisy, garden variety gas-powered mowers. It also mulches the cut grass
and deposits clippings back into the yard as a natural fertilizer, eliminating
bagging or time-consuming cleanup.
The control panel even has computer port so you can download your favorite fight
song ("Charge!") to play when the motor starts. Otherwise, the unit is whisper
quiet. You can even mow your lawn at night while the neighbors are asleep.
With its rechargeable battery pack (28 lbs.) removed, the Robo-Mower weighs only
50 pounds. On a single charge, the mower runs for 2 1/2 hours and cuts
2,500-3,200 square feet of lawn, depending on the number of obstacles in its
path, slopes, grass height, humidity, etc. Due to the low-amperage charger
provided, the lead-acid battery pack takes 18 hours to fully recharge.
If you're worried about using the mower around pets or children, take note that
the unit has safety sensors that stop the blades when the mower is lifted. If
the mower encounters an obstacle, sensors in its bumpers will make it stop and
reverse direction.
The Robo-Mower sells for $499, including batteries, charger, perimeter switch,
500 feet of perimeter wire, plastic pegs to secure the wire, manual controller,
user manual and installation video.
Our suppliers says the Robo-Mower is only one in a planned series of robotics
for household and outdoor utility work. Future plans may include a robotic
vacuum cleaner, a robotic golf caddy, and a robotic snow blower.
The Robo-Mower is pretty cool. Now, if they could just come up with something
that could edge, pull weeds, trim the shrubs, clean the gutters, and run to the
convenience store. Wouldn't that be sweet?