Automate Your Lawncare

The Complete Guide to Robotic Lawn Mowers in 2025

Lawn care in Australia can often feel like an endless struggle – one moment you're basking in the sun on a weekend, and the next, you're out in the yard, wrestling with a heavy mower, trying to keep pace with grass that seems to grow at an astonishing rate. With our unpredictable weather, ranging from intense heat to heavy downpours, and our passion for vibrant, green lawns, it can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. 

But here’s the silver lining: technology is stepping in to simplify lawn care. Enter the robotic lawn mower – your new ally for easy, automated lawn maintenance. These smart machines can manage your lawn while you enjoy the more important aspects of life, like sipping a cold drink or unwinding on your porch. But do these robot mowers really work? Can they tackle the challenges of your Australian backyard? This guide will help you explore the realm of robotic lawn mowers and determine if they’re the right choice for you. So, kick back, relax, and let’s get started!

What is a Robotic Lawn Mower?

A robotic lawn mower is a piece of machinery that cuts your lawn, if not completely, then at least with minimum human intervention. These intelligent devices come fitted with rechargeable batteries and are equipped with sensors and a navigation mechanism that enable them to cut grass, avoid obstacles, and often even return to their charging stations once their work is complete.

Unlike traditional robot grass cutters, these automated lawnmowers run quietly and more frequently, cutting small amounts of grass each time to keep your lawn looking sharp. They are also eco-friendly since they do not rely on petrol to run. If you are tired of pushing a heavy mower around or perhaps find the lawn mowing robot more in line with your preference for convenience and automation, a robotic lawn mower may be just what you need.

Benefits of Robotic Mower 

The debate rages on for many property owners: to invest in a robotic lawn mower or a ride-on mower. While ride-on mowers are great, offering that immediate, freshly-mown look on larger properties, there are several compelling advantages with robotic lawn mowers:

1. Convenience and Time-Saving

The most crucial advantage of a robotic lawn mower is the convenience that comes with it. Once programmed, it will perform the job while you tend to other things in the day. You do not have to invest time in pushing or riding an old-fashioned mower. Also, a robot for mowing lawns works all by themselves, freeing up more time to enjoy your garden than in it.

2. Eco-Friendly

Unlike ride-on mowers, robotic lawn mowers run on rechargeable batteries. This means minimal noise,  and up to 90% less emissions than traditional mowers. Therefore, if you're conscious of sustainability and seeking a friendlier alternative to nature, an automower robot is a great deal.

3. Cost Efficiency

A lot of robotic lawnmowers offer the same functions and performance as riding mowers that cost thousands of dollars. Some actually make it into the press for being better at getting around things than their pricier rivals. 

Another helpful way to compare cost is to compare it to a lawnmowing service. If you have a small lawn (up to 80m2) you can expect to pay on average $60 to have your lawns done. Assuming you get your lawn done weekly over Summer and fortnightly the rest of the year that would add up to 33 times per year for a total cost of $1,950 per year. Most robotic mowers suited for small lawns are in this price range and come with at least a 2 year warranty.

4. Lawn Health

Robotic lawn mowers improve lawn health by mowing more often than most people can. Their daily, light trims follow the one-third rule, which avoids stressing the grass. This is ideal for fast growers like Kikuyu, promoting dense growth while reducing thatch and weeds.

Lets walk through an example:

Kikuyu lawns in warm, moist conditions can grow up to 25mm per day during peak summer periods.

Assuming your ideal lawn height is 30mm:

The maximum allowable growth before breaching the 1/3 rule = 30mm × (1/3) = 10mm.

So if Kikuyu grows 25mm/day, you'd need to mow every:
10mm ÷ 25mm/day ≈ 0.4 days, or roughly every 9–10 hours.

Clearly, this isn’t practical with a manual mower. But a robotic mower that trims continuously throughout the day can easily maintain this, supporting both plant health and appearance.

So even without the exorbitant price tags of cars like Husqvarna's Automower series, you will still be able to enjoy all the benefits offered by an accurate automatic lawn mower which can act for itself. 

How Do Robotic Lawn Mowers Work?

One of the most common questions that people have about robot lawn mowers is, how do they really work? These robot grass mowers are designed to handle most standard lawn maintenance tasks efficiently. The key here, however, is that they work differently from traditional mowers-they're more the "tortoise" than the "hare". They do not cut everything in one go like a ride-on mower; they mow a little at a time, frequently trimming grass to keep it neat and healthy.

But expectations need to be managed here. Robotic mowers don't give that instant "fresh cut" look that you would get with a ride-on mower or a push mower. Because they work incrementally, cutting just 0.5cm at a time, the result is a cleaner, more consistently trimmed lawn, but perhaps not the freshly-mown appearance you are used to.

Another important aspect is that robotic lawn mowers are best suited for regular, lighter maintenance. In cases where your grass may be particularly long or thick, you might want to mow it with a more powerful machine before letting an automower robot loose. Generally, they do struggle with longer grass and take extra time to handle especially thick patches. 

If you’ve got a heavily thatched buffalo lawn for example your best bet is to remove some of the thatch first, but if you’re looking for the hands off approach, you’ll want to opt for an all wheel drive robotic mower to avoid it getting bogged down in the spongy grass.

Moreover, modern robotic lawn mowers are designed with several technologies to ensure they cut efficiently and accurately. The main technologies behind these machines include the following: 

Boundary Wire Technology

Boundary wires are, in a way, the backbone of many robotic lawn mowers. You usually install one of these kinds of mowers by laying down a low-voltage wire along the edges of your lawn, and the mower makes use of it as a guide to stay within its mowing area. This is very good for simple, structured yards where you can easily define the boundary-even sections that might be problematic for GPS systems.

Image source: http://www.redbackpower.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=9

RTK GPS Technology (Real-Time Kinematic GPS)

For bigger or more intricate yards, RTK GPS is where it's at. With RTK allowing for centimeter-level accuracy, this is how the remote operated lawn mower maps your property with high precision. Be it a large lawn area or a house with a backyard divided into several zones with obstacles, RTK GPS keeps your mower right on track, even when it doesn't have the use of boundary wires. Models such as the MoeBot Acre Eater and other models with RTK GPS are ideal choices for larger, more complex lawns that demand much higher accuracy. 

LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) Technology

LIDAR is one of the most advanced technologies out there that maps the surroundings using laser sensors. The sensor detects obstacles and efficiently guides the mower around those obstacles with great accuracy. For lawns featuring plenty of trees, uneven terrain, or narrow pathways, LIDAR guarantees that this kind of mower will manage not to get stuck while trying to avoid these obstacles. Models, like the Dreame A1, depend on LIDAR.

With a combination of boundary wires, RTK GPS, and LIDAR, these robotic automowers efficiently mow even large, complex lawns that challenge conventional mowers.

How to Choose the Right Robotic Lawn Mower for Your Needs

Determining whether or not a robotic automower is right for your yard will depend on the size, shape, terrain, and obstacles that may be present within your lawn. Not all robotic lawn mowers are alike, and finding the right one will make a huge difference in efficiency and satisfaction.

1. Yard Size and Shape

If your yard is small and relatively simple, you may not require some of the advanced features of GPS or LIDAR. A model such as the G-Force XPower 800 robotic mower is an affordable choice and works great for a small yard with one mowing zone. It requires a boundary wire for navigation but will be perfect for your basic lawn care.

For slightly larger lawns or those with multiple sections, the Dreame A1 robotic mower with OmniSense 3D Ultra System offers more flexibility. It works well in yards where GPS might be obstructed but still provides excellent performance in more complex areas.

If you have a large yard, more so one free from any obstacles that might interfere with GPS signals, then the Moebot Acre Eater will be the best model. As the name suggests the Acre Eater is designed for larger spaces, and it makes full use of its RTK GPS capabilities to efficiently navigate the whole area.

2. Sloping or Uneven Terrain

Some robotic lawn mowers are designed to take on hills, uneven terrain, or sloped ground in your yard, including the husqvarna lawn robot. These have powerful motors and can support sloping grounds; usually up to a 25-50% incline is allowed for these machines to operate. That makes them really good to go on the generally varying Australian backyards.

3. GPS Access and Obstacles

Are there places in your yard that the GPS reception might be obstructed, say, because of trees or structures that block satellite signals? Models like the Moebot Acre Eater work well for those large yards where the sky is clear for GPS signals. If you have areas with poor GPS access, you may prefer a model that relies more on boundary wire or uses advanced visual sensors, such as LIDAR.

Maintenance and Care Tips for Your Robotic Lawn Mower

To keep your robotic lawn mower working at its best, here are a few maintenance tips:

1. Regular Cleaning: Always make it a point to wipe off the blades after a mowing session in order to avoid any accumulation of dirt and grass clippings. This assists in the effective performance of the mowing machine and enhances the cutting efficiency as well.
2. Battery Maintenance: As a robotic lawn mower, it goes without saying that without regular charging the machine will not deliver an efficient cut. So, make sure that after use the battery has been completely charged; do not let it run down to zero. Generally mowers are programmed to go back to the charging station when the battery is running low, just remember to give it some time to charge when switching it off and storing it away.
3. Inspect the Blades and Wheels: When it comes to a robot grass mower, it can’t do much without these three blades mounted onto its cutting deck. As time goes by, the blades tend to get dull or worn out, therefore, it is a good practice to routinely check them and replace them if required. Most mowers are sold with a spare set and a lot of their owners report the need to replace them a season or so after heavy use. Youll just need a screw driver and maybe a can of WD-40. Check out the wheels too; these can wear out as well over long periods of use. Has your robot mower started to have issues with uneven ground? That could be because it has worn-out wheels. For those who do not wish to tackle all these hassles, leave it to a certified repairer and you’re good to go.

FAQs 

1. How to choose a robot lawnmower?

When buying a robotic lawn mower, certain factors should be put into consideration such as the size of the lawn, the technology to be used, and the terrain. In the case of basic models for smaller and easier lawns, less sophisticated models using boundary wires may be adequate. Bigger or more complicated lawns that have features such as slopes, numerous zones, or not-so-good GPS reception can make use of advanced models like RTK GPS or those with LIDAR.

2. What is the disadvantage of a robotic lawn mower?

The disadvantage of a robotic lawn mower is that, while they excel at regular maintenance, they have some drawbacks. They tend to take longer to mow than ride-on mowers and may struggle with very long, heavily thatched or thick grass. Moreover, they don't deliver the sharp, freshly cut appearance that traditional mowers can achieve. Lastly, they may also leave a wider edge requiring whipper snippering than traditional mowers, proper setup can minimise this.

3. Do robot mowers use a lot of electricity?

No, robotic mowers in Australia are quite energy efficient. They operate on rechargeable batteries, which means they consume significantly less energy than petrol-powered mowers. According to savvy.com.au robotic mowers use up to 0.2KWh per hour of use. Assuming the price of electricity is $0.25 per KWh that equates to a cost of approximately 5c per hour of use.

4. Are robot mowers worth it?

Absolutely, they are worth it! Robotic lawn mowers save you time, ensure consistent lawn maintenance, and are much more eco-friendly compared to petrol mowers. Although they might have a higher initial cost, the long-term savings in time, fuel, and lawn upkeep make them a solid investment.

5. Are robotic mowers hard to set up?

Not at all. Setting up a robotic lawn mower is typically straightforward. Other than installing the boundary wire or setting the GPS on those models that have RTK, you will usually just have to connect the mower to an app, map the area by driving it around the boundary in remote control mode and the mower can start its mowing routine automatically. Many models often have step-by-step instructions that make the installation process easier.

6. Can robotic mowers mow steep slopes?

Most robotic lawn mowers should be able to handle slopes, but it all depends on the model. Many high-quality mowers, like the Husqvarna Automower Robotic Lawn Mower, can mow inclines of up to 30%, while other models may struggle with steeper areas.

7. Is my lawn too big for a robotic mower?

There is a robotic lawn mower for every yard size. If your lawn happens to be big, one can opt for a model with a more powerful motor and longer battery life. Models like the Husqvarna Auto Mower or the Moebot Acre Eater, for example, can operate on large areas of 4000m² or more, making them great for expansive lawns.

Conclusion

Whether you need a simple robotic mower for a small yard or a more sophisticated model for a large, intricate lawn, there’s a robot lawn mower that fits your requirements. These intelligent machines simplify lawn maintenance by utilizing technologies such as boundary wire, RTK GPS, and LIDAR for accurate and efficient mowing. 

If you’re seeking a more convenient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution to keep your lawn tidy, it’s time to think about a robot mower. Wave goodbye to the noise, hassle, and environmental concerns associated with traditional lawn care tools, and let a robotic lawn mower take care of the hard work for you. Enjoy a consistently beautiful lawn with minimal effort while you relax in your backyard.