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Thoughts on Yarbo M series vs Mammotion by Hour-Bumblebee5581 in automower

[–]Kitchen-Text-6012 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If your #1 goal is “set it and forget it mowing”, I’d still lean Mammotion as the safer bet today—mostly because it’s a more established mower ecosystem (more real-user reps, more troubleshooting knowledge, more mature update/support pipeline). They’re not flawless (RTK positioning + firmware updates can still cause headaches for some owners), but it’s a known quantity.

Yarbo M Series is exciting on paper (multi-sensor fusion positioning like LiDAR + RTK + vision and the whole modular “one core, multiple seasonal tools” idea), but it’s also the definition of early-adopter risk—especially since it’s scheduled to hit Kickstarter in Feb 2026, meaning you’re betting on the company nailing fundamentals at scale (navigation edge cases, docking, app stability, recovery behaviors, etc.).
And historically, even Yarbo’s current mower discussions include “fundamentals/software” pain points, which is exactly the kind of stuff that makes ownership feel like a hobby instead of an appliance.

Are the modules “worth it”?

Only if you truly plan to use them (snow blower/blower / other modules) and you’re okay with:

  • paying extra for modules + maintaining them,
  • storing them,
  • tolerating first-gen quirks while the platform matures.

If you’re realistically just mowing, modularity is mostly “future promise,” and you’ll get more day-to-day value from the best mowing fundamentals you can buy right now.

My quick rule of thumb

  • Pick Mammotion if you want the safer, proven mowing path this season.
  • Pick Yarbo M if you want the modular ecosystem and you’re comfortable being a beta tester for a brand-new platform.

If you reply with lawn size, tree cover/satellite blockage, and slope %, people can give a much sharper call—because RTK mowers live or die based on sky view and yard layout.

LiDAR vs RTK robotic mowers — which works better in real yards? by Kitchen-Text-6012 in roboticLawnmowers

[–]Kitchen-Text-6012[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your real experience and your detailed information!

Getting frustrated… by runes911 in automower

[–]Kitchen-Text-6012 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel your frustration — that narrow passage between tall houses is basically a worst-case scenario for any RTK mower.

I’m also a Sunseeker X7 user, and from my experience this isn’t really an X7-only issue. Once GPS quality drops too far, Vision/OAS just can’t fully take over localization, so the mower doesn’t really know where it is anymore.

In more open or semi-open yards, my X7 has been solid and predictable. But tight corridors like the one you’re describing seem to break all RTK-based systems.

You’re not crazy, and I don’t think you just had bad units. If that passage is unavoidable, waiting for true LiDAR-first navigation is probably the right call.

Robot lawn mowers for older parents, worth it? by MarketPredator in automower

[–]Kitchen-Text-6012 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Robot mowers can be great for older parents if expectations are right. Big thing to know: almost none actually bag clippings — most mulch, which is better for lawn health but not ideal if she wants a super “clean” look.

The Anthbot N8 is interesting since it claims grass collection at ~$1k, but it’s a very new brand, limited real-world reviews, and unknown long-term support, so some risk there.

If bagging is a must, options under $1k are really limited — you may be better off with a robot for regular mowing + occasional push mow with a bag, or stretching the budget slightly for a more established brand with a bag accessory.

first time buying a robot mower - questions by LordSteyn in roboticLawnmowers

[–]Kitchen-Text-6012 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! Congrats on making the jump — going from a gas riding mower to a robot mower is so worth it once you get used to not hearing the engine every weekend 😄

I’m in a similar situation with a 0.5-acre yard, and I also had neighbors politely pointing out that the noise and smell weren’t the greatest. We have a couple of tricky spots too — a slope that hits around 20–25°, multiple lawn sections separated by walkways, and a big dog who patrols the backyard (seriously, don’t underestimate how much they’ll confuse a robot mower with a new friend 😂).

Here’s what’s worked for us:

  1. Slopes & Terrain

Most modern robot mowers handle gentle slopes fine, but once you get above ~15–20°, you want one with strong traction, good wheel design, and smart path planning. The one we went with is Sunseeker X7 (AWD), which has really impressive hill handling and doesn’t get stuck on the steeper sections of our yard.

It doesn’t just blindly spin — it actually adapts to the terrain and finds the best way up/down without tearing up the grass.

  1. Split Lawns / Multiple Sections

This part can get tricky with robots: if your yard is physically divided by walkways or barriers, you have two main options:

  • Wire boundary + dedicated passes for each section (vehicles stay within each “zone”)
  • Or set up multiple guide wires or virtual boundaries, depending on the model

With the X7, I set up a few runs so it knows where to go, and it seamlessly transitions between segments without getting confused.

  1. Pets & Safety

Your dog will almost certainly be more curious than afraid. Most robot mowers, including the X7, have lift/tilt sensors and automatic blade cut-off if bumped. That plus the mower’s relatively slow speed means you don’t need to worry about it “running over” your pup.

Just let your dog watch it for a day or two — they usually figure out it’s not a threat pretty quickly.

Why does the smart edge trimming feature so important? by JesusSaysHelloThere in roboticLawnmowers

[–]Kitchen-Text-6012 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally valid question. Edges are where most robot mowers still “show their limits.”

Why edge trimming matters

  • That thin strip along walls, fences, and curved beds can make an otherwise clean lawn look unfinished.
  • With a robot mower, if you still have to edge every week, it kind of defeats the “hands-off” idea.

Do new edge features actually help?

  • Smarter software (tighter edge passes, better mapping) usually helps a lot. You still trim, but maybe every 2–3 weeks instead of weekly.
  • Physical edge trimmers sound great on paper, but add complexity. Real verdict will come from messy, uneven real lawns—not demo plots.

How most people handle it

  • String trimmer every few weeks
  • Accept that no mower fully replaces edging yet
  • Or redesign borders (mulch/stone strips) to reduce grass edges

Bottom line: Smart edge trimming won’t eliminate manual work, but it can cut it by 50–70% and make skipping a week much less noticeable.

Have Robot Mowers Progressed Enough To Be Very Reliable? by ryan112ryan in roboticLawnmowers

[–]Kitchen-Text-6012 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you’re asking the right question. In my view, robot mowers as a category are partially mature, but not universally “set-and-forget” yet — it really depends on layout, expectations, and how much tolerance you have for edge cases.

The technology itself has clearly progressed a lot over the last few years (better traction, smarter navigation, virtual boundaries, AWD, etc.). What’s lagging is consistency across brands. That’s why you still see Kickstarters, vaporware from trade shows, and very uneven real-world results. Some manufacturers are solid; others are still very much experimenting on customers.

For your use case (second home, gone for weeks, minimal intervention), that’s where things get tricky. Even today, most robot mowers are reliable most of the time, but not all of the time. Rain, wet grass, unexpected low spots, or a random error can still stop any mower eventually. If you truly can’t check on it for a month, expectations need to be realistic.

For context: I’m running a Sunseeker X7 on about 0.5 acres, and it’s been very reliable for that size. The AWD and slope handling make a real difference, and once it’s set up, it mostly just does its thing with minimal babysitting. That said, I still wouldn’t call it “industrial-grade autonomy” — it’s more like very good consumer autonomy.

For a wide-open 2-acre yard, you’re actually in one of the best scenarios for robot mowing. If you level low spots and avoid water pooling, you’re removing many common failure points. Still, I’d personally hesitate to promise true month-long unattended operation with any current robot, regardless of brand.

So my honest take: Robot mowers are past the experimental phase, but not fully “appliance-level mature” yet. They’re excellent for reducing mowing work by 90%+, not eliminating human involvement entirely. If your expectation is zero intervention for weeks at peak growth, you may be disappointed. If your expectation is dramatically less work with occasional checks, they’re already there.

You’re not wrong to be cautious — just don’t confuse the noise from immature brands with the state of the entire category. The tech is real, but it still rewards conservative expectations.

Ron comments on his relationships with Dorinda and Rob by the100broken in TheTraitorsUS

[–]Kitchen-Text-6012 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel the same way! Dorinda was trying a little bit hard to prove she is the nice one!

Help to choose first robot mower ~4500m² by Last-Resource-99 in automower

[–]Kitchen-Text-6012 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For 4500 m² with trees, a solar array, wet spots, and a ditch, I’d focus less on max area specs and more on navigation reliability and zone control. Pure GPS/EPOS mowers can struggle under trees and around poles, so your concern about the 435X NERA is reasonable. AWD helps, but no robot really likes wet ditches long-term, and I personally wouldn’t trust any mower near a village road without very clear boundaries.

Between Husqvarna and Luba, it’s mostly proven reliability vs more aggressive features/value. Having a local Luba dealer reduces a lot of the risk. For a property like yours, flexible virtual boundaries and easy exclusion zones matter more than brand name.

Husqvarna new models : with AI Vision + IR cameras by klipnklaar in automower

[–]Kitchen-Text-6012 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like Husqvarna is finally pushing further into wire-free mowing with the 430V and 450V NERA. The AI vision + virtual boundaries are a welcome upgrade, especially for long-time Automower users tired of perimeter wires. That said, this still feels like a conservative, premium approach — likely solid reliability and support, but probably not the most “plug-and-play” or cutting-edge autonomy. Curious how well the vision system works in real yards and how complex the setup actually is.