Robotic lawnmowers are a trending option, as a “smart” option, to rider or manual mowers and keep your lawn in pristine condition throughout the summer months.
If you are looking to buy a robotic mower, you might be wondering if your new lawn mower is safe to use around children and animals.
Most people would agree that if they have children or animals, or both, that is a job in itself. When seeking convenience, if you have children that are playing outside, even though you are getting convenience, you have another element to think about in trying to be cautious of a piece of machinery.
Robotic mowers have safety features that manage safe operation of the mower. Consequently, robotic mowers are considered safe as compared to any of the petrol, manual and ride-on mowers.
Robotic mowers are “smart” because they smaller and compact and navigate safely, out of harms way. Robotic mowers will stop if the unit is handled.
This article will explain all of the details you need to understand when using a robotic mower around children or animals, and the safety features of robotic lawn mowers.
Are Robotic Mowers Safe?
It is natural to have concerns about an autonomous mower mowing in your yard with kids and/or pets present.
After all, it does have three razor-sharp blades onboard, so the threat of a nasty injury is certainly real.
Without the blades of the mower ripping away in the grass, you also do not want curious hands or paws prying, pulling, or damaging an expensive robotic mower.
Fortunately: Robotic mowers have a great variety of features that not only help prevent injuries to children and/or pets, but also protect the mower from damage.
Robotic Lawn Mower Safety Features
Below are some of the integrated safety features of these smart home robotic mowers that keep your little ones and fur babies safe.
Automatic ‘Shut-Off’
Automatic lawnmowers will shut off when it notices or hits an object in your garden.
The blades stop spinning, so there is minimal risk of injury.
A Constellation of Sensors
The robotic mowers feature a variety of sensors that gather relevant information about its surroundings.
Typical Integrated sensors includes:
- Collision sensors
- Tilt sensors
- Contact sensors
- Lift sensors
- Ultrasonic sensors that detect obstacles
This data can subsequently be used by the firmware of the mower to navigate.
These safety sensors are designed to enable the robotic mower to fulfil its job in a safe, effective and efficient manner; they will use the information related to what it sees in the environment.
Lift and tilt sensors are included as a default feature, and they will turn on if the mower is lifted off the ground or tilted beyond 30 to 40 degrees.
When either of those actions take place, the motor will automatically stop.
Shielded or Hidden BladesThat Only Cut Your Grass
The razor-sharp blades that operate on your lawn are protected and caged hidden deep within the perimeter of their chassis.
This prevents children or pets from injuring themselves if they get close to or touch the robot.
Gps Location Tracking Lets You Know Where the Mower Is at All Times
High specification robotic mowers are equipped with GPS for navigation and tracking while they are mowing.
The satellite navigation system depends on the mower being in an unobstructed view of the open sky while mowing so the GPS signal can lock on to the mower.
GPS is ultra-convenient because you can see the location of your mower on your smartphone using an app dedicated to the mower.
This provides peace of mind to know where it is at all times.
Secure the Control Panel of Your Robotic Mower with a 4-digit Pin
The shiny red STOP button and neat control system look so inviting to a child that they might be tempted to push a button or two just to see what will happen.
Most mowers are equipped with the option of being locked with a 4-digit code that can be programmed.
This allows restriction to the mowers programming or functions to only those who know the code ensuring there are no unauthorized tampering or theft of the mower.
Almost Every Robotic Mower Can Be Alarmed
If you are monitoring your mower from a distance, having an alarm is the simplest way to be notified when something is wrong.
Use the Boundary Wire to Create No-mow Zones for Your Garden
If there are items around your garden or yard that your device needs to avoid; flower pots, swings, trees, etc, you can create ‘no-mow’ zones.
The boundary wire that your mower uses can be used as a boundary around the high traffic areas of your garden.
The Emergency Button Will Shut off Any Automatic Lawn Mower
Most robot mowers feature an emergency stop button that is really easy to spot.
Pressing this button will ensure that the device turns off instantly.
Remember: If you ever think your kids or pets may be in danger, simply press this emergency button. The device will stop immediately.
Software and Apps Help You Schedule Mowing When the Garden Is Empty
You can set your robotic mower to operate when your kids and pets are indoors.
You can even set your robotic lawn mower to mow at night.
This is possible because robotic mowers are quiet and don’t disturb your neighbours.
Injury to Wildlife May Be a Concern
While care has been given to having safety features that are good for animals, concerns have been raised that automatic mowers can harm or kill wildlife in gardens.
While most lawnmowers are safe, some of the robotic ones were found to cause life-threatening injuries to hedgehogs and other small mammals.
This risk of harm occurs because hedgehogs are slow moving after they come out from hibernation, and the robot lawnmower may think they are grass.
Researchers from Oxford University found that robotic lawnmowers were capable of causing injuries, ranging from bumps and bruises to life-threatening lacerations.
The researchers identified small mowers and mowers that had retractable blades as being the safest.
Rounding Up
In summary, if you’ve been wondering whether or not to purchase a robotic mower because you are concerned about your children or pets being around them, I would hope that you are less worried now.
These amazing machines are incredibly safe for children of all ages, as well as pets.
As technology advances with robotic mowers, they will become even safer as well, as it relates to moving around your yard.