iRobot Terra Review: The Future of Lawn Care

For some, mowing the lawn is intensely satisfying. For others, it’s a time-consuming chore. If the latter sounds like you, take heart. Help is on the way from iRobot, the company that gave us the Roomba robot vacuum. Its latest creation, the iRobot Terra, is a grass-cutting robot designed to autonomously trim your turf. According to iRobot, the Terra will be as smart and as easy to use as a Roomba.

The Growing Market of Automated Lawn Care

iRobot’s entry into the automated lawn care space is significant. It’s another signal this market is growing. One report predicts that sales of these products will exceed $2 billion by 2022. The sophistication of robot mowers is also on the rise. Recently, multiple manufacturers announced that their models will soon work with Google Assistant and Alexa. They’ll boast better navigation too, thanks to onboard GPS.

Rugged enough for outside

Much like standard robot floor cleaners, the Terra has a wheeled body that’s round and flat. Likewise, the machine sits docked at its home base until it’s ready for action. As with a Roomba, the Terra’s base supplies power to the robot’s rechargeable battery.

The Terra, however, is made to live outdoors. A pair of thick rear wheels, complete with knobby tires, help the mower negotiate challenging environments outside. According to iRobot, the Terra can handle hills and uneven terrain without any issues, and it says it’s rugged enough to tolerate the elements.

A smarter lawn trimmer

One big difference between the Terra and other robot lawn mowers is the iRobot model’s navigation system. Competing products such as the Robomow, and Honda Miio require boundary wires to keep them away from off-limit areas. The Terra uses stake-like beacons to triangulate its position.

Instead of wires, the Terra relies on a series of wireless beacons to triangulate its position, similar to those that come with iRobot’s Roombas. You’ll need to drive at least two of the thin, rod-shaped beacons into the ground to provide the Terra mower with a point of reference. Then you manually drive the Terra, via its mobile app, around the edges of your lawn. This helps the robot create a digital map of its surroundings.

During this initial setup process, you also instruct Terra about areas it should avoid. Examples include flower and garden beds, furniture, or decorative objects. That done, Terra should be good to go — no wires needed.

Will it mow like a pro?

Enhanced navigation doesn’t just mean faster, more efficient mowing. iRobot says the Terra will mow in straight lines like a person would. As a result, the robot will cut grass into those attractive stripes your neighbors (and the HOA) will appreciate. Thanks to electronically adjustable cutting heights, you can set the Terra to mow high in some places and low in others.

iRobot hasn’t disclosed exact pricing for the Terra yet, but the company did mention that it should be “similar in price to other lawn-mowing robots.” The Terra is set to launch in Germany first, with a global release planned for 2020.

Overall, the iRobot Terra represents a significant step forward in the world of automated lawn care. With its advanced navigation system, rugged design, and promise of professional-looking mowing results, the Terra is poised to revolutionize the way we maintain our lawns. While the exact details and pricing are still forthcoming, the potential of the Terra is undeniable. Say goodbye to tedious lawn mowing and hello to the future of grass-cutting technology with the iRobot Terra.