I guess this could work for those of us that are either a) lazy or b) busy. But even if you're neither, this seems like a good idea for helping mother nature in her quest to clean the planet.
It's called a LawnBott, and it's essentially a Roomba for your lawn. It runs on electricity, so there is no gas or oil involved (bonus - only costs $7-$10 in electricity a year!!). Just set up the docking station by an outdoor electrical outlet, let it charge, set the timer and let it go. It comes with wire fencing to put up around the perimeter of your lawn, to protect your rose bushes and neighborhood children. It can mow up to 33,000sq ft, so the average home owner will have no problem with the low battery power. It even has a rain sensor, so if it begins pouring heavily, the LawnBott returns to it's docking station immediately.
It seems like a brilliant idea - my only question is if it has a safety lock on it to prohibit thieves from stealing it - after all, these puppies go for anywhere between $1,749 and $2,899, depending on the model. (Edit: The manufacturer DOES sell an anti-theft alarm!)
And please, if you do use this - lock up the family pets so they don't come in contact with this beast. Yikes..
Find out more here
Comments (5)
Eh, just because it runs on electricity doesn't mean it's environmentally friendly. If the electricity is produced by burning coal for example it is far from clean. Still better than gas I guess... :D
Posted by Mike n | May 8, 2007 4:59 AM
Posted on May 8, 2007 04:59
This brief failed to mention something key from the article that I think everyone ought to know. So happened I already knew that lawnmowers are EXTREMELY pollutant, however I hadn't realized about the gasoline waste.
"A gas-powered push mower emits as much pollution in an hour as 11 cars and a riding mower emits as much as 34 cars, according to the EPA. Americans also spill some 4 million gallons of fuel each year, mostly gasoline, just refueling their lawn equipment, the agency says."
Posted by JohnDoe | May 8, 2007 10:26 AM
Posted on May 8, 2007 10:26
Also from the manufacturer's (Kyoto America) homepage:
"Anti-Theft Alarm is now available for all LawnBott models! Please see your KA Home Robotics authorized dealer for more details."
Posted by JohnDoe | May 8, 2007 10:30 AM
Posted on May 8, 2007 10:30
Uh...Don't want to be a buzz kill, but:
Cheap to operate doesn't mean "Eco-Friendly". True, it doesn't have a gasoline engine, but electricity on the grid still comes from a high percentage pollution producing sources. Even zero emission sources of electrity were produced with emission producing energy. It has batteries that are dirty to produce and have a limited life span. 33,000 square feet is only 0.75 acres and theoretical battery life is seldom the same as practical so that might mean a several hour recharge to finish. It's cost means it will have to provide many years of service to even save money over a gasoline powered mower for a few hundred dollars. And finally, couldn't we all use a little more exercise?
Posted by Karl Fields | May 8, 2007 2:05 PM
Posted on May 8, 2007 14:05
Yowza that is one expensive lawn mower!
I was expecting like $500 to $700 but nearly three grand? No thank you!
I did not know lawn mowers were so ... pollutant. Good thing it is only used for about an hour every week or two.
Posted by Infornography | May 8, 2007 7:41 PM
Posted on May 8, 2007 19:41