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
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written by nicster, October 24, 2008
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written by Ken Roberts, October 24, 2008
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written by filo, October 24, 2008
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written by Clinch, October 26, 2008
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written by Grechen, October 26, 2008
People should purchase and train sheep to be lawn mowers. Much cheaper, more reliable and doesn't cost the environment much at all.
If you think a standard sheep is too large for a suburban lawn, consider getting a miniature variety.
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written by Clinch, October 27, 2008
You'd also have to hire someone to sheer them (although you could use the wool to make environmentally friendly clothes), and vet bills and stuff.
It does make more sense to have a pet that could eat grass, rather than having to buy pet food for (although you may still have to buy nutritional supplements occasionally), and that would hibernate during the winter (when the grass doesn't grow much, so doesn't need mowing), and could be trained to not poo on the grass, but I can't think of any animals that would do all that, so I think for now, the best option is to either let it overgrow, or start to mow.
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written by tula, October 27, 2008
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written by sam myerson, February 02, 2009
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