A new kind of scrub!!!!

[lawnstudent]

Have you guys seen the ads for the new Toro iMow Robotic Mower? You bury a wire around the perimeter of your yard and this electric mower does the rest for you automatically while you sip mint juleps. Is this the future of lawn care? Are we going to lose out to the iMow scrubs?

jim

[Runner]

Much like the Husqy version of this unit. Look what it cuts with though. Do you think this is real healthy for the entire lawn? How does it look when it's done? I had to laugh when some posted (it was last year, I think) that they would like to see one and flip it over on it's back like a turtle. Is this robot cruelty?:eek:

[lawnstudent]

I am cetain that if there is a market for this little critter that they will imporve it. The Toro WEB site indicates that you send the iMow out more than once a week so that you can always have the perfect lawn. It will not take too much to use an electronic eye to monitor the grass height. Grass grows a 1/4" and send out the iMow! I don't think we will see an immediate impact, but I'm certain over time this will sell.

jim

[Krimick]

Husqvarna has had their own version of this on the market since 1998. I don't see this as being a concern to our industry anytime in the near future. It's current model is more of a toy for someone with too much money and time on their hands, who is looking to experiment.

Although, if George Jetson had lived on the ground, I am sure this is how he would have cut his lawn :)

[Garry]

Wow, I remember that from my college days in the late 70's.

That idea has been around for many years.....................The first proto-type was going to take almost a week to mow 15mft/2.

Constantly cutting.........................24/7.

It used a micro-processor.........................Hey, in 78 that sounded high-tech.

Hadn't even heard of Astroids yet.

Loved the George Jetson take.........................Row ra ron, Rorge.

[fireball]

It is a lot closer than you think. The major drawback right now is a legal one. It is called an attractive nusicance. In other words, if your robot is out cutting the grass like it is supposed to do and a driver is going down the street admiring your machine and goes off the road, it will be your fault because your actions caused his lack of due diligence. Plenty of case law to back up this principal, ask any railroad.

If you want to see the modern day version go to any John Deere dealer and ask to see the brochures on gps systems and light bars. There is no difference between a dixie chopper and a 27 row combine other than sheer size, they both cut.

The real scary thing is that you have to be ready to make the investment in this new technology when it becomes available. The first guys in the market will get all the business because they will be able to underbid their competitors because they won't have labor per se. I think Tru Green is giving this a lot of thought and this is why they are deciding to enter the lawn mowing area now

Did I mention the little laser robot that sits out in the yard and vaporizes catepillars off the trees from three miles around. No pesticides---tree huggers gotta love these machines.

[rodfather]

good god, fireball...lack of due diligence? what the friday, over.

[1grnlwn]

Unless this thing hovers in the air its going to leave squiggly lines all over the yard, won't that be attractive. What happens when it runs over a sleeping cat? Or gets caught in a hole? Yea the manufacturers will love it, 24 hr a day. OOh lots of expensive parts and service.

Mark

[BigJim]

We have been developing robot mowers down here for over 100 years,this is nothing new,you erect a low fence around the lawn,the robot mower is placed inside it,they automatically trim the grass,they are nearly silent,they mow the grass night and day,they require no artifical fuel source,there is no wires or cords on the lawn.The robot mower will also apply organic fertiliser over the lawn as required and as a added bonus it will also trim all small shrubs and trees with in the fenced in area.When the robot mower becomes obsolete it is completely bio degradable,all parts can be used for other purposes so there is no enviromental issuse with its disposal.I think Toro is just pulling the wool over you guys eyes.I have attached a photo of 2 robots in action.
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>:D

[laynlow]

I saw a remote control vaccum cleaner made by Hoover or Kirby, don't recall. The idea was you sit your fat, dumb, and happy butt on the couch and control the vac with your remote. That caught on well too. I also recall that test they conducted with 10 or so cars being guided by sensors embedded in the highway. The cars maintained a perfect speed, a spacing of 3 feet apart, and a straight line. Do you know any drivers that are going to let a computer drive their car soon? I know some who should, but that's another story.

BTW, the legal principle that fireball is describing is mainly used when someone does something that is shocking and distracting. For example, a woman flashing passing motorist or a real life example when Hooters was sued over a advertising billboard that caused several male drivers to have an accident.

Later

[Mykster]

I saw one of these things on QVC. I'm all for technology and moving forward but, this thing is a joke. I don't think any LCO has anything to worry about.

[James234]

I agree with Mykster! I wouldn't worry about this silly stuff for the next 10 or 15 years. Just because a few Laser mowers are now cutting grass at Walt Disney World in Florida that is nothing to worry over, unless you cut grass for a living. If progress goes as expected...

[LAWnENFORCER]

This thing may be able to mow the yard, but can it trim, edge, blow, hedge, fert. and give advise on lawn care.

I DON'T THINK SO!

PS I think it could be a liability issue. The neighbors dog could get its rear paws chopped off while trying to make a new companion. LOL

KB LAWN SERVICE
CENTRAL TX

[ohiolawnguy]

i saw he husqvara versio i action at expo 99 in louisville. it cant cut a dogs paws off. if it flips over, it turs off. i let it run into my foot, and it just turned aroud and kept going. im not exactly worried about these things becoming popular though

if your robot is out cutting the grass like it is supposed to do and a driver is going down the street admiring your machine and goes off the road, it will be your fault because your actions caused his lack of due diligence. Plenty of case law to back up this principal, ask any railroad.



if that is the case, if i stare at a pretty girl too long while im driving, and hit a tree its her fault right? obviously it must be her fault her beauty entranced me like a deer staring at headlights-LOL