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Guide · Researched, not tested
One robot mower for the front and back yard: how multi-zone mowing works
Most Australian houses split the lawn in two, with the house, a driveway or a side gate in between. Plenty of robot mowers can handle both lawns, but how they get from one to the other varies a lot by brand. We went through the support documentation from Mammotion, Segway Navimow, Husqvarna, MOVA, ECOVACS, Roborock, eufy and Worx to explain what each actually supports. Prices checked 16 October 2026.
By Domestic Robot · Editor: Christian Ganaban · Updated 16 October 2026 · We may earn a commission from links on this page. Disclosure
Quick answer
Yes, one robot mower can usually mow both lawns, in one of two ways. If there's a drivable route between them (a side passage, or a flat path or driveway with no kerb or step), most wire-free mowers can link the lawns with a channel (Mammotion, Navimow), passage (Roborock) or transport path (Husqvarna) and drive between them on schedule. If there's no safe route, you map the second lawn as a separate zone or map and carry the mower across each time. Check three things before buying: whether the brand supports more than one lawn at all (ECOVACS's GOAT O Series supports only one mowing area), the minimum width for the route between lawns (often more than the mower's own passage rating), and whether the front yard has GPS tracking and a lift alarm, because a mower visible from the street is easier to steal.
Three ways to mow a front and back lawn
- One map, linked by a channel. The mower lives in one yard and drives to the other through a mapped route. It's the only fully hands-off option. Husqvarna says its mowers don't cut while following a transport path, and Mammotion's New Zealand distributor Robomate says the same of Mammotion channels.
- Two zones or maps, carried across. When steps, a high kerb, a locked gate or a public footpath separate the lawns, you map the second lawn on its own and lift or drive the mower there by app when it's due. Husqvarna calls this a secondary area; the mower can't return to the dock by itself, so you carry it back too.
- Two mowers. For two large or awkward lawns, a second robot can cost less in time than carrying one every week. We haven't found a brand that pitches this, but it's worth pricing up if the front lawn is big.
CHOICE's buying guide (updated 7 April 2026) puts it simply: if your lawns are separate, you'll need a multi-zone model, and you'll have to carry or wheel it between the two spaces when it can't drive there itself.
Multi-zone support by brand
| Brand / family | Zones and maps | Getting between lawns | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammotion (LUBA mini 2, YUKA mini 2) | 20 zones (LUBA mini 2 AWD 1500); 10 non-contiguous zones (YUKA mini 2 1000); up to 10 maps in cloud backup | Channels you drive by joystick; Mammotion says they should be wider than 1 m and free of significant bumps | Station-free mapping lets an isolated area appear as its own map | Mammotion AU product pages; Mammotion support |
| Segway Navimow (i1, i2 AWD, H2, X3/X4) | Up to 20 zones (i2), 30 (H2), 120 (X4) | Channels between zones or to the dock; no obstacles within 1 m of the channel | VisionFence Off Zone lets it pass stone paths or pits the cameras mistake for obstacles | Navimow Academy |
| Husqvarna Automower (EPOS and V models) | Multiple work areas plus temporary stay-out zones | Transport paths; start each at least 1 m inside the work area; one path can link several areas | Secondary areas: carry or App Drive the mower there and back | Husqvarna AU support |
| Husqvarna Automower (boundary wire) | Remote areas reached by guide wire (Area 1–3 settings) | Passage at least 60 cm between boundary wires with a guide wire, 2 m without | Secondary area outside the loop, carried in | Husqvarna AU support |
| MOVA (ViAX, LiDAX) | 2 independent maps; up to 150 zones (LiDAX Ultra 1000) | Channels or pathways between zones; 60 cm narrow-passage rating | Separate maps aren't linked to each other | MOVA AU product pages |
| ECOVACS GOAT | One map only; the O Series supports only one mowing area | ECOVACS's FAQ allows up to 3 paths between two areas; paths at least 0.7 m wide | No path means manually moving the GOAT into the area | ECOVACS help centre |
| Roborock (RockNeo, RockMow) | Multiple areas on one map | Passages created automatically or by driving the mower; up to 3 between two areas | Roborock's minimum passage: 70 cm (2WD), 80 cm (AWD) | Roborock garden support |
| eufy (E15, E18, C15) | E18: one map per base station; more maps need more base stations | Multi-Zone Pathway for lawns up to 60 m apart (E18); C15 pathways 1–60 m long | Lawns split by steps, gates, deep gravel or driveways need carrying | eufy AU and UK |
| Worx Landroid (wired and Vision) | Wired: 2–4 zones. Vision: zones marked with RFID tags (two included) | Wired: a 15 cm corridor between zones. Vision: zones over 2 m wide, path under 6 m, steps under 3 cm | Worx says to carry it, not use multi-zone, where it can't cross between zones | Worx wiki |
From manufacturer documentation and Australian product pages, checked 16 October 2026. Zone counts vary by model and firmware; check the model you're buying. Our Mammotion vs Segway Navimow comparison covers those two brands in more depth.
Getting through the side passage
The side passage is usually the decider, and the number to check isn't always the mower's headline passage width. A mower's narrow-passage rating is what it can squeeze through when mowing; the brand's rules for a channel can be wider. Mammotion rates the YUKA mini 2 1000 for 55 cm pathways and the LUBA mini 2 AWD 1500 for 68 cm paths, yet its support article says a channel should be wider than 1 m. Navimow asks for 1 m clear of obstacles around a channel. Roborock lists 70 cm minimum for its 2WD mowers and 80 cm for AWD models. Our small-yards guide compares the narrowest passage ratings, from MOVA's 60 cm upward.
Satellite (RTK) mowers have a second problem in a side passage: the house on one side and the fence on the other block the sky. ECOVACS says its GOAT can drive paths at least 0.7 m wide, but on paths under 1 m with high walls the positioning signal is weak and it gets stuck more easily; it suggests driving it through by remote. Camera and LiDAR mowers don't depend on the sky, which is why they're often easier for narrow side paths. Our explainer on RTK vs vision vs LiDAR covers the trade-offs.
Wired mowers can still do it: Husqvarna recommends at least 60 cm between the boundary wires in a passage if you lay a guide wire through it, and 2 m without one.
Crossing driveways, paths and kerbs
Most wire-free mowers can drive across a flat concrete path or driveway if it's mapped as part of the route. The limits are the edges and the surface, not the concrete itself:
- No kerbs or steps. eufy says the route should have no raised kerb, step or gap that could catch the chassis. Worx says paths should be level with the lawn because steps or drops can damage the blade disc, and limits Landroid Vision transitions to steps under 3 cm.
- Firm surfaces. eufy rates paving, concrete and asphalt as easiest; firmly compacted fine gravel may work, but deep gravel, round pebbles, bark and wood chips rarely do. Segway New Zealand reported a Navimow crossing a 20 mm shingle driveway and a gate rail head-on, but not at a 45-degree angle, where the wheels slipped.
- False obstacles. Navimow notes its cameras can mistake stone paths and pit covers for obstacles. Its VisionFence Off Zone switches obstacle sensing off over such spots, which is why it says not to use one where pets or children play.
- Traffic. eufy says to avoid scheduling crossings when cars are regularly coming and going, and not to run the mower where cars, bicycles or pedestrians could enter unexpectedly.
Public footpaths: eufy advises a private crossing with no public access, and none of the manufacturer guides we read describe routing a mower along or across a public footpath. If the only route between your lawns is the street footpath, treat the front lawn as a carry-to area.
RTK signal around the house
A house is the biggest obstacle an RTK mower faces when it has to mow both sides of it. Navimow says its antenna should be at least 2 m (6.6 ft) from walls, dense trees, houses and fences with an unobstructed view of more than 110 degrees of sky, and that it can go on the roof or a wall where space is tight. Mammotion recommends a roof mount for U-shaped or split lawns. The app's signal tools help: Navimow has a Satellite Signal Analyzer showing which satellites the mower and the antenna can both see.
Network RTK, now offered on Navimow's i2 AWD models with no extra fee according to Navimow AU, removes the antenna placement problem but still needs open sky over the mower. Camera and LiDAR models such as the MOVA LiDAX range and Mammotion's YUKA mini 2 don't need an antenna at all.
Don't forget the app connection. Husqvarna says its Wi-Fi-only models, including the 308V, need stable Wi-Fi in every work area, which a front lawn on the far side of the house may not have. Built-in 4G (Navimow i2 AWD, Mammotion LUBA mini 2 AWD) or an add-on module avoids that.
Where to put the dock, and second docks
Put the charging station in the lawn you mow most, usually the back, where it's also out of sight from the street. Navimow asks for at least 2 m between the dock and trees, walls or houses, about 50 cm clear each side and 2 m clear in front; Husqvarna's EPOS guidance asks for at least 6 m of free space in front. Both suit a back lawn better than a narrow front strip.
Some brands tie a map to a dock. eufy's E18 page says each base station supports one map and extra maps need additional base stations, but it also links lawns up to 60 m apart with its Multi-Zone Pathway. If you plan to carry the mower, check how the app handles it: Husqvarna's secondary-area guide says the mower will report “Destination not reachable” when finished and that you should delete the automatic schedule it creates for that area, since it can't start there on its own.
Front-yard theft risk
A mower working in an unfenced front yard is on show to anyone walking past. Look for these, in rough order of usefulness:
- GPS tracking with an alert when the mower leaves its area. Husqvarna's X-line models have GeoFence tracking built in; most others need the Automower Connect kit. Navimow's i2 AWD has built-in 4G with location tracking and lift alerts. MOVA's tracking and off-map alarm need its optional Link Module, and the Navimow i1 series needs the $199 Access+ module. eufy lists 4G GPS tracking for the E18. Worx sells a Find My Landroid module.
- Lift alarm and PIN lock. Husqvarna's mower sounds an alarm if lifted and won't run without the PIN; MOVA and Navimow list lift alerts on the models we checked, and MOVA's ViAX 500 has a PIN code.
- Dock-pairing. Husqvarna says an Automower can't work with another charging station.
Our suggestions: schedule front-lawn sessions while someone is home, keep the dock in the back yard, and photograph the serial number. We couldn't find Australian insurer guidance specific to robot mowers, so check your home and contents policy wording yourself if the mower will live outdoors.
Good multi-zone options on sale in Australia now
| Model | Rated lawn | Why it suits two lawns | Price (AUD) | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOVA ViAX 500 | 500 m² | Vision; 2 maps; 60 cm passages | $1,699 sale (RRP $1,799) | MOVA AU |
| Worx Landroid Vision 1300 | 1,300 m² | Vision; RFID-tag zones, 2 tags included | $1,999 (special order) | Bunnings |
| Mammotion YUKA mini 2 1000 | 1,000 m² | LiDAR + vision; 10 zones; 55 cm pathways | $2,299 (in stock) | Mammotion AU |
| Segway Navimow i206 AWD | 500 m² | Network RTK + vision; up to 20 zones; built-in 4G and tracking | $2,399 (in stock) | Essendon Mowers (sold out at Navimow AU) |
| MOVA LiDAX Ultra 1000 | 1,000 m² | LiDAR + vision; 2 maps, 150 zones; 60 cm passages | $2,499 (RRP) | MOVA AU |
| Mammotion LUBA mini 2 AWD 1500 | 1,500 m² | LiDAR + vision, AWD; 20 zones; built-in 4G | $3,499 (in stock) | Mammotion AU |
| Husqvarna Automower 308V | 800 m² | EPOS satellite + AI vision; work areas, transport paths, GeoFence | $3,499 RRP | Husqvarna AU (dealer prices vary) |
Prices checked 16 October 2026 at au.mova.tech, Bunnings, au.mammotion.com, emam.com.au and husqvarna.com/au. MOVA's “sale” and RRP labels are MOVA's own. Rated areas are the makers' figures. We haven't tested any of these.
For a shaded side passage, the camera and LiDAR models (MOVA, Mammotion YUKA mini 2) avoid RTK dropouts. For the most theft protection out of the box, the Navimow i206 AWD and Mammotion LUBA mini 2 AWD have built-in 4G. Two lawns adding up to a big block? See our large-block picks, or the best robot lawn mowers in Australia for our overall shortlist.
Common questions
Can one robot mower do my front and back yard?
Usually, yes. If there's a flat, drivable route between the lawns, most wire-free mowers can link them with a channel, passage or transport path and drive between them. If steps, a kerb, a locked gate or a public footpath are in the way, you map the second lawn separately and carry the mower there.
Can a robot mower cross a concrete path or driveway?
Most wire-free mowers can cross flat concrete, paving or asphalt if it's part of a mapped route. eufy says the crossing should have no raised kerb, step or gap, and Worx limits Landroid Vision transitions to steps under 3 cm. Deep gravel, pebbles and bark are much harder.
How wide does the side passage need to be?
It depends on the brand and on whether it's a mowing passage or a travel channel. Roborock lists 70 cm for 2WD and 80 cm for AWD mowers, MOVA 60 cm, ECOVACS GOAT 0.7 m, while Mammotion says its channels should be wider than 1 m and Navimow asks for 1 m clear of obstacles.
Do I need a second charging station for the front yard?
Not usually. Most mowers drive back to one dock through a channel. eufy's E18 needs an extra base station for each extra map, but can link lawns up to 60 m apart with a pathway. Husqvarna's secondary areas have no dock: you carry the mower there and back.
Is a robot mower in the front yard likely to be stolen?
It's more exposed than one in a fenced back yard. Look for GPS tracking with an alert when the mower leaves its area, a lift alarm and a PIN lock. Several brands sell tracking as an add-on, such as MOVA's Link Module and Navimow's Access+ for the i1 series.
Does ECOVACS GOAT support front and back yards?
Only partly. ECOVACS says the GOAT doesn't support multiple maps, and the O Series can have only one mowing area, so separate lawns need a connecting path or a choice of one lawn. ECOVACS's help centre says paths can link areas within a map, up to three between any two areas.
Sources
- CHOICE: how to buy a robot lawnmower (updated 7 Apr 2026)
- Mammotion support: how to create a channel
- Mammotion: app features (station-free mapping, map backup)
- Mammotion support: best place for the RTK reference station
- Mammotion AU: YUKA mini 2 1000 (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- Mammotion AU: LUBA mini 2 AWD 1500 (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- Navimow Academy: multi-zone mowing
- Navimow Academy: mapping a complex lawn
- Navimow Academy: weak RTK signal
- Navimow AU: i2 AWD series (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- Segway NZ: Navimow crosses gate rails and shingle (28 Apr 2024)
- Essendon Mowers: Segway Navimow range (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- Husqvarna AU: work areas, stay-out zones and transport paths (EPOS)
- Husqvarna AU: secondary areas in a wire-free installation
- Husqvarna AU: secondary areas with Aspire R6V, 308V and 312V
- Husqvarna AU: passages in a boundary-wire installation
- Husqvarna AU: Automower theft protection
- Husqvarna AU: Automower 308V (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- MOVA AU: LiDAX Ultra 1000 (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- MOVA AU: ViAX 500 (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- ECOVACS help: front yard and backyard not connected
- ECOVACS help: multiple maps
- ECOVACS help: paths between areas
- ECOVACS help: narrow paths (Danish)
- ECOVACS help: adding a new lawn area
- Roborock garden support: minimum passage width
- Roborock garden support: passages per map
- eufy AU: Robot Lawn Mower E18
- eufy: can a robot lawn mower cross a path?
- eufy: multi-zone robot lawn mowers
- Worx wiki: how to set up multi-zone
- Worx wiki: Landroid Vision multi-zone with RFID tags
- Bunnings: Worx Landroid Vision 1300 (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- Amazon AU: multi-zone robot lawn mowers
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