Rise of the Lawn Mowers! How a Robot Can Take Care of an Annoying Chore for You
The rise in robotic technology is nothing short of remarkable, and there are many home helper robots already available for purchase. These can be as sophisticated as robotic companions, such as the Japanese humanoid robot that can read human emotions and even hold a basic conversation. Most contemporary robots are simply home helpers, such as the small robot that vacuums the floor for you. There is also the robotic lawn mower. While not yet a common sight in suburban backyards, as their abilities progress, the robotic lawn mower might soon be taking care of an unpopular task for you. Many potential purchasers are put off the idea of a robotic lawn mower by thinking that the task is simply too heavy duty for a robot to do. This used to be the case, but a contemporary robotic lawn mower can handle almost anything that your lawn or the great outdoors can throw at it.
How Does the Lawn Mower Register the Edge of the Mowing Area?
This is actually really straightforward. A wire is around the perimetre of the area to be mowed, which is essentially all around the edge of your lawn. The robotic mower cannot stray from this sector. If the robotic lawn mower encounters difficulty during the job (such as running into fallen branches), it will stop and ask for help by sending a notification requesting assistance to your phone.
What About When the Lawn Mower Runs out of Power?
Robotic lawn mowers know when they are running low on battery power. They won't simply run out of power halfway through the job. When power is low, the mower will automatically return to its charging station for a recharge. It then resumes the job when charged, unless you override this function (such as if it happens late in the evening, and you don't want the mower jumping into action at night).
When Does the Mower Activate Itself?
It's not as though it registers that the grass has grown sufficiently to warrant another mow. You need to give it a command to mow, or set a mowing calendar. Some more advanced models can be synched with a smartphone app, allowing you to remotely activate the mower. You can have a freshly cut lawn waiting for you when you come home from holiday!
Can These Lawn Mowers Handle Delicate Edges?
Depending on your garden, you might not be able to bury the boundary wire right at the edge of the lawn. You might have trees, or ornamental stones, or something else that the mower might have difficulty navigating. This can actually be kind of fun to overcome. Some models of robotic lawn mowers have optional joystick style controls, allowing you to sit on your patio and steer the robot through the complicated section of your lawn. It's just like a video game.
So if mowing your lawn is not a task you look forward to, then maybe it's time to invest in a robot to take care of the job for you.