Introducing the Lawnba

Solar-powered lawnmower cuts grass unsupervised

Posted by Sarah van Schagen at 4:27 PM on 07 Mar 2008

OK, it's not really called a Lawnba. But it's still cool:

The zero-emissions Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid is the world's first solar/electric hybrid robot lawnmower.

...

The lawnmower uses the same amount of energy as a standard light bulb and is made from 90 percent recyclable materials.

...

The mower cuts the grass with small blades in an irregular pattern, leaving a fine mulch that does not need raking and acts as fertiliser for the lawn.

A freshly mown lawn, no green thumb required.

For story: Introducing the Lawnba
5 Comments | Post a Comment

Not first

Hmmmm, Real Goods sold one of these a loooong time ago -- one that actually looked like the Roomba and that (I think) might have been from the same company ... the platforms were very similar in appearance.

Mainly we need to get rid of home lawns entirely (see "Food Not Lawns") but there will probably always be large institutions with patches of green, and this would be good for them.

The 5% Project

by JMG at 11:01 AM on 08 Mar 2008

A couple questions...

But first, I would really appreciate one of these.

Our lawn is very irregular. It is primarily a rodent/fire-break around the house. There are a lot of odd curves around our slowly expanding population of trees, shrubs, and other flowering plants. And it is mostly sloped. This results in a rather convoluted mowing pattern, not at all efficient as far as time and gasoline is concerned. Furthermore, the sound and stench of a gas-powered mower ruins an otherwise very calming environment. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of "weeds" that a basic human-powered push mower can't cope with.

(1) How much does the robo-mower cost?

(2) How much area can it handle per charge?

(3) Will the power and blades tackle tough herbacious material like queen-anne's lace, alfalfa, and thistle stems, as well as the occassional small sumac shoot, the sort of "weeds" I see among the blades of grass?

(4) Can it be set to high enough to not harm toads and snakes?

by wiscidea at 12:07 PM on 08 Mar 2008

P.S.

(5) How steep of a hill can it climb? This is very very important.

(6) What happens if it hits a rock?

(7) Is it easy to sharpen the blades?

by wiscidea at 12:09 PM on 08 Mar 2008

Robotic ag revolution

Is this the first sign of the green robotic ag revolution? Vive la revolucione..eey!

Sure just program it to mow the weeds between your organic garden rows.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

by amazingdrx at 12:28 PM on 08 Mar 2008

Sheep or rabbits.

Guinea pigs for the eccentric and I'm sure some freak is mowing his lawn with a marmot. I'm pretty sure guinea pig tastes better than marmot though. But marmots have better warning cries and are cuter in my book.

A marmot in action.

Now some people insist that geese do the best job and provide free security for your property besides. The problem being that geese will just as nastily secure the property from you. I think they cut the grass too short for my taste and sitting on a goose dropping is a dang site nastier than a rabbit pellet.

The goose is, however, better eating with less guilt than any of the other critters. The trick is holding off wringing their long nasty necks till Thanksgiving. Sheep are stupid and tend to do dumb things like get in the road or crowd up on your front porch. I would say the best bet is a rabbit mower on wheels that you move every few days.

Put the Carbon Back

by Pangolin at 10:30 PM on 08 Mar 2008

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