The new Segway lawn mowers operate at high speeds and can cover larger areas than football fields.
The Navimow X3 series is designed to take care of large gardens.
Segway has expanded its range of robotic lawn mowers with four new models from the X3 series, specifically designed for large areas of grass. These new mowers can handle spaces ranging from 1,500 to 10,000 square meters, which is approximately one and a half football fields, without the need for boundary wires.
Previous models like the i Series and H Series were aimed at smaller gardens, but the brand identified that 10% of its customers used their devices in areas larger than recommended. Thus, the new X3 series aims to meet this demand, prioritizing cutting efficiency and navigation precision. Prices for the new models range from $2,499 to $4,999.
Segway claims that the X3 series models cut grass at double the speed compared to standard robotic mowers. Although they don’t reach the extreme speeds of a Formula 1 car, their efficiency allows them to cover up to 5,000 square meters in just 24 hours, making them viable options for both large residential properties and commercial spaces.
The new robots feature an enhanced motor that delivers 25% more power and a cutting mechanism with six blades that doubles cutting capacity. There is an additional blade specifically designed to prevent the system from clogging with shredded grass. These machines can tackle slopes of up to 27 degrees, demonstrating their versatility on challenging terrain.
Additionally, the X3 series incorporates improved batteries. These robots can cut an area of 1,200 square meters before needing to return to the charging station, which is quick to minimize downtime. It’s noteworthy that this series has received TÜV Rheinland certification for its "high cutting efficiency."
To enhance navigation in these expansive gardens, Segway has optimized the positioning capabilities of its robots. Thanks to a system that combines satellite signals with a 20-30% improved coverage, the mowers can maintain their location even in hard-to-reach areas. They use two orientation systems: VSLAM to recognize visual references and VIO for new areas, along with three cameras that provide a 300-degree field of view to detect obstacles.
During a demonstration, the obstacle avoidance system proved effective, detecting and avoiding moving objects like a ball. Moreover, the robots now come equipped with a dot-matrix display showing status and GPS updates, and they are compatible with Alexa and Google Home for voice control.
For those with technical knowledge, Segway has introduced an Expansion Bay with an open API, allowing users to add extensions per their needs. The first addition is a semi-automatic edge trimmer, although its availability is limited to certain European countries, with no plans for release in the U.S. or the U.K.
Edge trimming is an area where standard robotic mowers often fall short, and having a robot that can also perform this function could simplify garden maintenance by eliminating the need for additional manual tools.