Robotic lawn mowers — are they safe to use?

Thanks to the quickly evolving world of smart technology, robots can mow our lawns for us. Though it sounds like a great idea to cut us some slack, it’s important to know what safeguards are in place to keep them from harming you and your family. After all, these intelligent little machines zip around the grass with sharp blades propelling beneath them. 

What robotic lawn mowers are capable of

Of course, there are many benefits to owning a robotic lawn mower. For starters, you can have your grass cut without doing the job yourself. They’re also electric, making them better for the environment when compared to traditional gas-powered devices, meaning no nasty emissions. Better yet, these job-hungry machines are designed to cut grass in small pieces at a time, meaning you won’t need to rake the clippings. Instead, they’re used to add fertilization back to the soil.

While this means it takes more time to cut the grass, keep in mind that these ‘bots are designed to get the job done. Plus, they’re quiet enough to complete their tasks in the middle of the night. Added benefits: robotic lawn mowers can mow the lawn in the rain and can be scheduled to get to work via a smartphone app.

Safety first

Traditional lawn mowers can be dangerous to operate. In one quick move, you could become seriously injured. By comparison, robotic lawn mowers are safe, even though they still have quick-moving blades underneath. Fortunately, they’re equipped with high-tech sensors to turn the blades off when objects get close or whenever you lift the machine. Built-in safety features such as collision detection systems also prevent robotic mowers from bumping into obstacles. These features help alleviate accidents and injuries to children, adults, and pets.

So what’s the catch? As you might have noticed, current-generation robotic lawn mowers are pricey, as you can see in the list below.

Robotic lawn mowers worth consideration

Robomow RS360 — At 44 pounds, the Robomow RS360 is on the heavy side, but it runs from 50 to 70 minutes before needing a charge. Being the Robomow’s most expensive model, it features a mowing width of 22 inches, up to 0.75 acres. Currently the company offers robotic lawn mowers ranging in price from $1,000 to $2,100.

Husqvarna Automower 450x — Priced at $3,500, the 31-pound Husqvarna Automower 450x is suited for large and complex lawns. It cuts a 9.45-inch wide path, up to 0.25 acres, and its course-treaded wheels provide traction even if the surface is slippery, with the mower handling slopes up to 45%. This device cuts using razor-like blades made of carbon steel mounted on a cutting disc system.

Bosch Indego — For $2,500 you can get yourself the Bosch Indego mower, which uses technology to map your lawn area and then decides on the most efficient route to mow. Weighing in at 25 pounds, this ‘bot cuts a 10-inch wide path, up to 0.25 acres. Its cutting blade is adjustable up to 2.5 inches, and it runs 50 minutes on one charge. Impressively, it charges itself automatically and also features an alarm system. 

Source: MakeUseOf