CES 2009: Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid tends the lawn without Fuel

Jan 5 2009, 1:56pm CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

The Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid is a fully robotic lawn mower partly powered by the sun and uses no fuel or oil. The company will exhibit this green grass cutting robot at the CES 2009.
The Solar Hybrid mower is designed to handle lawns of up to a half acre. Incorporating solar and battery power, it uses considerably less energy than any conventional mower with its large integrated solar panel and is emissions-free. When there is daylight available, the solar cells enable the mower to extend its cutting periods before requiring a recharge. Lower power consumption and an extended battery life enable a faster, more environmentally improved cut.
A small wire is staked to the ground below the grass level, or buried just beneath it, around the perimeter of the lawn to be mowed. The on-board navigation system monitors its position relative to the wire keeping it in the area to be mowed. The irregular pattern of movement, the long battery life, and its ground speed enables it to effectively mow all parts of the lawn.
Obstacles or other areas within the lawn that should not be mowed are handled in one of two ways: if the object is rigid and at least six inches tall like trees or fences, the mower gently bumps into it, reverses, and starts off in another direction; other areas, like a flowerbed, are excluded from the cutting area by using the perimeter wire.

Automower Solar Hybrid mower is programmable to be personalized via timer, and charges itself when required by returning to its base. The 22-pound mower cuts every day, day or night, rain or shine and has a 4-digit pin code lock feature required to operate the mower and an alarm for security. Other safety features include lightweight and out-of-reach blades and automatic shut off when the device is lifted from the ground. Additionally, the three razor-like blades cut the grass cleanly and more often than a traditional mower which leaves shorter clippings that decompose faster and provide a natural fertilizer for an even better-looking yard. The Automower Solar Hybrid is available for $2,999.95 nationwide says Husqvarna.
For that money I would rather mow my lawn myself. Cleaning robots and mowing robots are still a pain in my book. I would rather pay a gardener or cleaners if I do not want to do it myself.
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Luigi Lugmayr
Luigi is the founding chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 15 years experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting world of gadgets. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into vibrant technology magazine.
Luigi can be contacted directly at ml@i4u.com. Luigi posts regularly on LuigiMe.com about his experience running I4U.