I guess robots are taking over the world. We now have Roomba to vacuum while we are away. A robot dog named Aibo. And, now, a lawn mower that will operate without you present. If this is how the future is going to be, I love it. Just invent a robot to pick up sticks, take the garbage out and cook.

Yes, my neighbor got this gadget at the end of the summer for his birthday and, ever curious me, could not resist checking it out. He loves his gadgets and usually is right on with his gadget purchases. So, I asked if I could borrow his mower for a "spin". Of course he said yes as part of the fun of gadgets is letting others see what they can do.

I was modestly impressed, but also unable to borrow it. I found out that you have to take a few hours to set up your backyard or the robot might find it's way into another town. The set up is not too difficult, but can be time consuming. You simply string a perimeter wire around the yard and then you are set. The robot comes with a pretty good manual that makes the process relatively pain free. The main thing is to realize that you really need to have the perimeter wire buried just under the ground to avoid an unsightly perimeter and to avoid tripping over it. A good way to do this without too much work is to use an edger to make a small slit in the ground. No big deal, but it will take some time. However, keep in mind how much time you will save in the future.

Then you simply turn the mower on and go away. The mower operates much like Roomba in that it will cut the grass while you are gone. Hallelujah!!! The thing is so smart that it mulches as it goes and learns your lawn as it goes-meaning that it will probably be quicker next time unless it is brain damaged. Heck, the thing even collects and mulches as it goes. And, you hardly even know it is on it is so quiet.

The robot also has safety features that remove the worry of what could potentially happen since you are not around. For instance, it turns off it is flipped over. Or, it will back away if the bumper discovers something foreign. You could rightfully argue that it is safer for a robot to mow your lawn when you are not around than for you to mow the old fashioned way. Pretty amazing.

I am sure you have many questions. Like, how well does it work? The answer is surprisingly well. The mower is best suited for lawns that are 3200 square feet or less and does take longer than a normal mower. It will cut in a pattern just like you would if you were mowing the lawn. It can handle hills and will cut through wet grass as well or better than any other mower I have ever used. But how well does it match up versus a normal mower? Again, surprisingly well.

I spent years mowing my parents with a riding mower and doing the edge work with a push mower. I also spent a good decade mowing a family friend's yard in the same manner with their equipment. The robot does an excellent job compared to what I am accustomed to. It does not do the edges as well and it will do just an acceptable job on the top of hills, but otherwise it does every bit as good of a job as any traditional mower.

A few thoughts to keep in mind. First of all, you should clear the yard of anything that the robot will see as a foreign object (Sticks, balls, kids, etc.). Secondly, though the battery will last for a good sized yard, you should consider a backup battery or a quick charge charger. My neighbor typically will get four hours of battery out of his mower and that is enough to mow his lawn. It does take a full day to fully recharge the battery. Thirdly, this is a heavy robot. It may take two people to get it out of the box when it arrives. Fourthly, and I have no idea how this works, but there is a theft deterrent system. Did you ever think you would have a theft deterrent system on a lawn mower?! Finally, the higher the grass the slower the process and the worse the cut will look. I am guessing that this obvious and, heck, since you do not have to take the time to mow you should have no excuse for a high lawn.

Ok, so should you purchase the lawn mowing robot? From what I have seen and read, the answer is an overwhelming yes. I have oggled it in amazement as it does it's job and discussed it with the neighbor. He says that it may be the best purchase he has ever made since it relieves him from the hour long weekly ritual he has been tied to for the better part of the last decade. On top of that, it does as good of a job as he could do on his own.

I was as much of a disbeliever as the next guy. Yet after seeing my neighbors lawn and how good it looks and seeing him never spend a minute working on it, I am sold. Hey, a few hours spent getting the perimeter set up is well worth the time saved down the road. I am still amazed at how good of a job the robot really does.

So, you have a product that costs significantly less than a riding mower and does just as good of a job while saving you an hour a week. Why wouldn't you purchase the RL800? I have no idea. I will be purchasing one before the lawn mowing months arrive. Of course if it is anything like what my neighbor experiences, the first few months will involve more time spent in the yard than before. The difference is that the time will be spent talking to strangers and explaining the robot to them versus mowing the lawn.





Recommended: Yes