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Wire-free robot mowers: RTK vs vision vs LiDAR
Which navigation works in your yard depends mostly on one thing: how much open sky the mower can see.
By Domestic Robot · Updated 28 September 2026
Quick answer
Open lawn with clear sky: RTK is accurate and good value. Big gums, pergolas or a two-storey house next door: choose LiDAR or camera (vision) navigation, which don't need satellites. Want the most proven option and don't mind a day of install: boundary wire still works anywhere.
The five ways robot mowers navigate
| Type | How it works | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boundary wire | A buried wire around the lawn creates an invisible fence | Works anywhere, very reliable | Takes a day to lay, can break, random mowing pattern |
| RTK | Satellites plus a base antenna in your yard, accurate to about 1–2 cm | Neat stripes, precise edges, good value | Needs open sky; trees and tall walls cause dropouts |
| Network RTK | Satellite corrections sent over 4G instead of a yard antenna | No antenna to place | Still needs open sky and mobile coverage |
| LiDAR | Lasers build a live 3D map of your yard | Works under trees and at night, fast setup | Newer tech; software quality varies by brand |
| Vision | Cameras and AI recognise grass, edges and obstacles | Easiest setup, no antenna | Pauses in low light or heavy rain |
Why Australian yards trip up satellite mowers
RTK needs a clear view of the sky. Mature gums, jacarandas, pergolas and two-storey houses on narrow suburban blocks all block or bounce satellite signals. When that happens the mower loses its place and stops or wanders. If more than a third of your lawn sits under canopy or beside a tall wall, skip pure RTK.
Many new mowers combine systems to cover the gaps. The Segway Navimow i108A pairs RTK with its VisionFence cameras. The Mammotion LUBA 3 uses LiDAR, network RTK and cameras together.
Which one suits your yard
- Small, sunny, simple lawn (under 500 m²): vision, like the eufy C15.
- Open lawn up to 600 m², little shade: RTK, like the ECOVACS Goat O600.
- Trees, slopes or mixed zones: LiDAR, like the Mammotion LUBA mini 2.
- Acreage: a hybrid of LiDAR, RTK and vision, like the LUBA 3 AWD 5000.
- Want dealer support and don't mind installing: boundary wire, like the Husqvarna 305.
Common questions
Do robot mowers still need a boundary wire?
No. RTK, LiDAR and camera mowers map your lawn without one. Boundary wire mowers are still sold and are reliable, but they take longer to set up.
Does RTK work under trees?
Not reliably. RTK needs a clear view of the sky, so heavy canopy or tall walls can cause the mower to lose position. LiDAR and vision mowers don't have this problem.
What is network RTK?
Network RTK gets its satellite corrections over the mobile network instead of from an antenna in your yard. It still needs open sky and good 4G coverage.
Can vision robot mowers mow at night?
Usually not well. Camera-based mowers need light, so most pause or return to base at dusk or in heavy rain. LiDAR mowers can work in the dark.
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