As key markets for garden robotics, Europe and the US have long been crowded with competing brands. At IFA (Innovation For All), one of the world’s largest consumer technology exhibitions, established players and new entrants used the stage to introduce products and signal their strategies.
European consumers are familiar with robotic lawn mowers thanks to years of exposure to wired models, and adoption has grown steadily. Over the past year, penetration rates in European markets such as Germany, France, and Switzerland rose from below 15% to about 30–40%.
Robotic lawnmower booths again drew attention at IFA. Mammotion, Dreame, Ecovacs Robotics, and Mova each unveiled products showcasing improvements in hardware design, navigation, obstacle avoidance, and adaptive cutting for varied terrains. Roborock, after years of speculation, formally entered the category with its first robotic mowers, a move likely to increase competition.
In pool cleaning, Aiper introduced a new model, while several lawnmower makers expanded into the segment. Mammotion, Dreame, and Mova displayed pool robots, reflecting a broader push to diversify product lines.
The overall message was consistent: companies are accelerating launch cycles and expanding into each other’s categories to demonstrate technical capability. The garden robotics sector is moving quickly.
Roborock enters the field
Roborock debuted its first robotic lawn mowers at this year’s IFA. Ecovacs Robotics and Dreame have already established footholds in the segment, but Roborock entered with the advantage of a strong reputation in robotic vacuums, where its algorithms and user experience are well regarded.
The company introduced three models:
- RockNeo Q1, an entry-level option for small, flat lawns, prioritizes simplicity and reliability with basic smart functions for cost-sensitive buyers.
- RockMow S1, a midrange version, supports lawns up to 1,000 square meters within 12 hours using a two-wheel drive system. It is designed for flatter terrains where consistent trimming is more important than terrain flexibility.
- RockMow Z1, the flagship model, is designed for all-terrain use. It combines RTK and vision technology to cover up to 5,000 square meters per day, with four-wheel drive, active steering, suspension, and a heavy-duty motor. It can climb slopes up to 80% and clear obstacles up to six centimeters.
The Z1 also improves trimming along lawn edges. While some mowers leave strips wider than seven centimeters, it reduces this to three centimeters by cutting slightly beyond the boundary.
Mammotion introduces multi-sensor navigation system
Core navigation technologies continue to shape robotic mower performance, with each approach fitting different market segments:
- Vision or vision combined with RTK (real-time kinematic positioning) works well for lawns under 1,000 square meters.
- LiDAR (light detection and ranging) enables precise mapping for small to medium areas.
- LiDAR-vision systems have become the preferred option for larger or more complex terrains.
Each has tradeoffs. LiDAR loses accuracy in open spaces, RTK struggles near obstructions, and vision alone falters in low light.
Mammotion introduced the Tri-Fusion system, a navigation solution that combines LiDAR, RTK, and vision. Its algorithm reportedly switches modules in real time depending on lighting, terrain, and obstacles, delivering centimeter-level precision without boundary wires or external base stations. The system is already in Mammotion’s Luba mini AWD LiDAR mower, and existing users can upgrade without additional cost.
A robotic mower with a mechanical arm
NexLawn, a garden tech brand under Mova, presented the Master X, a robotic mower with a foldable mechanical arm extending from 44.5 to 77 centimeters with a reach of up to one meter. The arm enables the machine to handle cluttered spaces and perform tasks beyond mowing.
By swapping tools, the arm can pick up objects, trim edges, water plants, or pick fruit. It can also toss small balls for pets.
The feature, however, introduces challenges. It requires advanced real-time vision algorithms, complicates integration, raises R&D and manufacturing costs, and demands strong safety protocols. Industry opinion remains divided on whether such complexity will prove commercially viable.
The pool robot crossover
The pool cleaning segment is emerging as a new competitive front:
- Aiper unveiled the Scuba V3, which uses artificial intelligence-driven visual recognition to identify more than 20 debris types. It combines AI sweeping with fixed path coverage, supports obstacle avoidance, and features wireless charging. At 7.5 kilograms, it is lighter than many traditional wired models. Pricing has not been disclosed, but given that Aiper’s Scuba X series retails above USD 1,000, the V3 is expected in a similar range.
- Dreame showcased the Z2 Pro, which uses sensors and algorithms to map multiple cleaning paths. It offers five modes, including wall and floor cleaning, can be controlled by mobile app, and docks automatically at the waterline.
- Mammotion presented the Spino E1, a wireless entry-level pool robot for small private pools, positioned to deliver the cleaning capability of higher-end machines at a lower cost.
Over the past year, the garden robotics sector has expanded into adjacent categories and new markets. As high-end demand in Europe and the US levels off and customer needs grow more diverse, the companies that prevail will be those able to pair localized strategies with cost-efficient innovation, making advanced features accessible to a broader base of users.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.