Lawnbott LB1200 Videos Show Revolutionary New Robot Lawn Mower in Action

There's a lot going on in the robotic lawn mower space, where our favorite robot company, iRobot, is in danger of being left way, way behind.

We've noted the recent emergence of the $999 SmartMow, a disc-shaped robot very similar to iRobot's own designs for a robot lawnmower, but we still think that the LawnBott LB1200 Spyder we profiled a year ago is the revolutionary product that can take robotic lawnmowing into the mainstream. The price is still too high - $1399 with limited U.S. distribution - but the technology is spot on. It's the first and only robotic lawnmower that does not need the cumbersome installation of a perimeter wire. Just drop and mow. Moisture sensors let the Spyder know if it's mowing grass, and bump sensors keep it away from obstacles. To avoid mowing your neighbor's lawn, you'll have to have some kind of a barrier, although I wouldn't be surprised if neighbors team up and share these guys.

The 18-pound wonder, which features lithium batteries, handles smaller yards up to 5,500 square feet, hills up to 27 degrees grade, and has near-silent operation so you can run it at any time of day or night without pissing off the neighbors.

About $10 a year in electricity plus other maintenance (far less than the maintenance of a gas mower) is all you need. Beats paying the local rascals $25 a week to mow, doesn't it? I'd get one, except that my lawn has a hill closer to 40 degrees. Maybe when they come out with a more robust version? Or, maybe, just maybe, iRobot will finally get in the action?

Here are the videos I promised:






Tags: iRobot, robot, Robomower, robotic lawn mower, Lawnbott, lawnmower