Solar-Powered Robotic Lawn Mower
Here at EcoGeek, we've covered DIY solar and electric lawn mowers, but the new Automower Solar Hybrid from Swedish company Husqvarna trumps both. Not only does it appeal to the environmentally-conscious part of us, but it also appeals to the "I really hate mowing the grass" part of us.
The robotic lawn mower is capable of cutting up to half an acre of grass on its own, guided by a wire buried along the perimeter of the property. The mower is powered by the solar energy it collects while it mows, with surplus energy stored in its nickel hydride battery.
It includes safety features like blades that automatically shut off when the mower is lifted, sensors that tell it to move around large objects and a theft-deterrent alarm.
The robot makes its U.S. debut this weekend at the Green Industry and Equipment Expo and may soon be available commercially. Husqvarna hasn't revealed the price, but their original, non-solar-powered Automower goes for around $2,000. Pretty pricey, but it might be worth it.
Via CNET