TerraMow V1000: Robot Mower Navigates by Cameras Instead of Antennas
Wired reviewed the TerraMow V1000 robot mower, which uses a triple-camera AI system instead of a boundary wire or RTK antenna for navigation. The device impressed with its simple setup and precise cutting.
The TerraMow V1000 robot mower stands out for skipping the RTK antenna or boundary wire setup common to competitors, instead relying on a triple-camera system and AI to map and navigate a lawn. It connects to a phone via Bluetooth and also supports Wi-Fi. A year of 4G service is included (afterward $19 per year), though this is only needed for remote control and firmware updates when Wi-Fi isn't available in the garden. The mower also includes GPS tracking in case of theft.
The reviewer found setup to be the easiest among all robot mowers tested so far. The automapping feature successfully defined the lawn's cutting zone without requiring manual edits, unlike other automapping mowers that typically needed corrections.
Specifications
The mower can handle slopes up to 18 degrees, offers a cutting height range of 25 to 75 mm, and a cutting width of 20 cm. Users can set different cutting settings for different zones of the lawn. On a full charge it runs for 150 minutes, with a two-hour recharge time. Clippings are left to mulch, and a cutting schedule can be set through the app. The package also includes a covered charging base to protect it from weather.
Performance
Despite low expectations for AI-vision-based navigation, the mower cut in notably straight lines, leaving fairly uniform, neat stripes. Along clear edges such as paths, it mowed right up to the border, while leaving a modest gap near obstacles. Tests with a football and the thin posts of a badminton net showed reliable obstacle avoidance, an important feature for households with pets. The mower also had no trouble navigating to and from a charging station placed off the lawn, behind paving.
