Learn about the workings of the Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid.

Say goodbye to lawn mowing chores, as a 22-pound (12-kilogram) robot takes over the task. Whether you're at home, away, or facing rainy weather, this mower handles the job for around $3,000. Think of it as a larger Roomba, equipped with three sharp blades, and a step towards eco-friendly lawn care.

The Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid, developed at the Husqvarna Global Design Centre in Sweden, is a hybrid robotic mower. It features four primary components: its body, charging station, transformer, and wire. Constructed with 90% recyclable materials, its body resembles the size of carry-on luggage, measuring 28 by 21.7 by 11.8 inches (71 by 55 by 30 centimeters). For comparison, a typical carry-on bag measures 9 by 14 by 22 inches (23 by 35 by 56 centimeters) [source: United]. The robot is dark grey, much like your luggage.

What makes this mower hybrid is its combination of a rechargeable NiMH 18V battery and a 12-watt photovoltaic solar panel. It doesn’t require any fuel or oil. While the sun shines, the mower runs on solar power, and when the battery needs a recharge, it automatically navigates to the charging station, guided by a signal emitted from it. The station, which can be sensed from 20 to 23 feet (6 to 7 meters) away, is powered by electricity and connected to a transformer plugged into a 120-volt wall socket. The setup consumes about the same energy as a standard incandescent light bulb, adding just $12 to $25 to your annual electricity costs.

Although it is lighter than a traditional lawn mower, it still offers a range of impressive features.

Husqvarna Power and Navigation

The automower stands out with its alarm system and programmable features, but first, let's discuss how to prevent it from mowing your flowerbeds or your neighbor's yard.

Before setting the automower loose, you need to establish boundaries similar to a pet fence. The mower comes with a wire that needs to be buried just below the grass level to define its mowing area. These boundary wires can also be used to keep the mower away from flowerbeds or gardens. Guide wires help the mower return to its charging station, and its on-board navigation system, along with ultrasound sensors in the front and back, ensures it stays on track.

Within the defined boundaries, the automower follows an unpredictable mowing pattern, weaving back and forth across the yard until the task is complete. It deals with obstacles or boundary wires in two ways, depending on the obstacle’s size. When it bumps into a hard object that's at least 6 inches (15 centimeters) tall, like a tree or pet, it reverses and changes direction. If it encounters boundary wire, its navigation system steers it around. Even steep slopes are no challenge — it can handle gradients up to 35 percent without tipping over.

Curious about the performance of a robot mower the size of a French bulldog? The automower’s efficiency depends on factors like the size of your lawn, sunlight availability, grass type, moisture levels, and how well you maintain the mower’s blades. It is recommended for lawns of approximately 0.6 acres (2,100 square meters), plus or minus 20 percent. The mower can handle about 0.02 acres (87.5 square meters) per hour. After an hour of work, it returns to its charging station for a quick recharge before resuming. A full charge takes about 45 minutes.

If you use a conventional gas-powered mower, you’re likely spending about 120 hours per year mowing your lawn — that’s roughly three weeks of vacation if you work a 40-hour week. How would you prefer to spend your time?

Husqvarna Automower Features

The mower's settings are controlled via an LCD panel located beneath the solar cell. Here, you can customize various functions: the clock, operational mode, mowing schedule, and movement patterns. The panel also shows the battery status and manages the anti-theft alarm settings for the mower.

Indeed, the mower is equipped with anti-theft protection, ensuring it’s secure while you’re away. The owner sets a 4-digit PIN code, which must be entered to operate the mower.

It’s the novelty of the automower that will catch people's attention, rather than its noise level. In fact, it’s quite quiet for a lawn mower, registering around 63 decibels (dB) — significantly lower than a traditional gas-powered mower, which ranges from 90 to 100 dB. To put this into perspective, breathing is about 10 dB, and a jet engine can reach upwards of 150 dB. The Husqvarna's noise is comparable to the sound of a hair dryer at 70 dB [source: Dangerous Decibels].

Proper maintenance is key to keeping the automower in top working condition. Its battery is maintenance-free and lasts between 1 to 3 years depending on usage. Regular cleaning is essential, and the blade disc and skid plate should be checked every 1 to 2 months for servicing. The frequency of blade maintenance depends on how often the mower is used, the type of grass, yard size, and any obstacles like stones, leaves, or toys.

When not in use, the Husqvarna can be stored indoors by hanging it on the provided wall mount.