YOU might not realise it, but the first robotic lawn mower, the Mowbot, actually went on sale in 1969. The large bright-yellow machine even trundled out in an episode of Tomorrow’s World, promising a vision of a hi-tech, labour-saving future. Although, at a price that equates to about £5,600 in today’s money, it isn’t hard to see why it took a few years for the concept to catch on.
Fortunately, there are now lots of robotic mowers, offering features and options that would have seemed like science fiction in the 1960s, starting at only a fraction of the price.
How they work
The majority of robotic mowers are powered by lithium-ion batteries and cut the lawn using multiple small blades, rather than onemower. They also don’t collect the grass, as this would add too much weight and affect battery performance.
