To the disappointment of children everywhere earning their allowance from lawn mowing, the Federal Communications Commission has just given its approval for a Robot Lawn Mower. iRobot are preparing to launch a lawn mower that could be coming to a garden near you sooner than you expected.
Lawn mowers manufacturers have been trying to come up with automatic robotic devices for tending your gardens. But unlike their competitors’ previous attempts, iRobot claims their lawn mower won’t need any underground fences or complicated setups. The other robotic mowers require a perimeter wire and a charging station, which can be quite a hassle.
The Federal Communications Commission’s green light will now allow the lawn mower manufacturer that is famous for its automated Roomba household vacuum, to continue with their developments.
While we’re still in the dark about how the robot lawn mower will work, a report claims it will rely on stakes in the ground which will be connected wirelessly in order to map out the area you want to mow.
iRobot’s stake design needed a waiver from the regulatory commission, since it was believed the device would interfere with their radios signals that would use the same frequency range.
While the Federal Communications Commission doesn’t usually allow operations of “fixed outdoor infrastructure” that transmit low radio signals without a licence, iRobot’s device managed to get their seal of approval.
Even though the National Radio Astronomy Observatory claimed the signal of the robot lawn mower could interfere with their telescopes, the Federal Communications Commission stood by iRobot on this one, pointing out that the device’s limitations couldn’t affect the astronomers’ work.
iRobot pointed out that the needed beacons would only be set out during mowing season and will communicate only with the robot lawn mower. They will be around two feet tall and four to nine stakes will be more than enough for the average consumer.
A great advantage this device brings to the table is that it’s safer and environmentally friendly, since it doesn’t need gasoline to manicure your lawn. Not to mention they would be of great help to elders or disabled users and would free people from this tedious chore.
With robots already helping out around the house with vacuuming, washing and dusting, we’re all ready to welcome outdoor gadgets like the robot lawn mower as a more practical solution for groomed lawns.
