Berlin, Germany — The company Segway is known to many because of the means of transport of the same name and its e-scooters. Now, for the first time, Segway has developed an innovative product for the garden. Unlike most commercially available devices, Navimow does not require the installation of boundary cords in the garden. In addition, centimeter-precise positioning and systematic mowing patterns increase efficiency and contribute to perfectly manicured lawns.
Virtual Zones, Real Efficiency
Segway relies on a technical innovation called EFLS (Exact Fusion Locating System) — a type of fusion locating technology. The locating module on the mower communicates simultaneously with the satellites and the antenna to form a stable triangular locating system and precisely position the robot. "At the core of this technology is the use of GPS satellite signals to achieve outdoor positioning accurate to within two centimeters through real-time kinematics," explains George Ren, general manager at Segway BU. However, thanks to built-in sensors and a wealth of information, the robot can operate stably even when the GPS signal is temporarily weak. A map in the app can be used to define precise zones and boundaries — in other words, where Navimow should work, where the boundaries are, and which zones in the garden it should avoid on its tour. "Once the working area in the garden has been defined, Navimow does not criss-cross, but rather determines a systematic mowing path thanks to its intelligent navigation algorithm and follows it," Ren said.
Intelligent Support
Segway's first robotic lawnmower is designed for a lawn area of up to 3,000 square meters, has several features of a smart helper in the garden and is the quietest mower on the market with only 54 dB. The Frequent Soft Cut System (FSCS) ensures that the lawn is cut from above and the desired height is reached gradually. Offset blades allow cutting as close as possible to edges and corners. Obstacles such as flower pots are automatically detected by the unit and bypassed; if children or pets get too close, Blade Halt technology immediately kicks in and the blades stop spinning. "With its five-centimeter-thick rubber all-terrain wheels, Navimow also easily masters inclines of 45%," Ren says. The robotic lawnmower also features an IPX6 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand rainfall, heavy splashing and high-pressure water jets, as well as spilled drinks. An installed rain sensor guides Navimow back to the charging station on rainy days — after all, mowing should not be done in the rain. If necessary, however, the sensor can be switched off via the app and the robotic lawnmower can continue to work. If new exclusion zones — such as flower beds — are added, they can also be conveniently created via the app.
Robotics in the Genes
Segway has many years of experience and expertise in service robotics innovation. "Our robotics products include, for example, Loomo — our first personal attendant robot, T60 — the world's first semi-automated, teleoperating, shared scooter, DeliveryBots, and Segway RMP — a mobile robotic ride-on vehicle designed for indoor and outdoor delivery and patrolling, among other applications," Ren elaborates. With Navimow, Segway is entering the gardening equipment segment for the first time and would soon like to be represented in DIY stores and garden centers. A gradual expansion of the robotic mower product line is also planned. However, the goal is not to be a tool manufacturer, but to offer users labor-saving and intelligent solutions with the help of robotics. In the field of robotic mowers, the company has identified potential for improvement in terms of user experience and wants to take the robotic lawnmower industry to the next level with Navimow.
