Skip to main content

iRobot’s robot lawn mower might be called Terra

Some people just aren’t mowing their lawns this year, but for lots of homeowners, it’s a regular chore. And if some neighborhood kids are used to getting $20 to do it for you, well, they may soon be out of a paycheck.

Updated on 6-30-2016 by Lulu Chang: iRobot files trademark application for “Terra.” 

Recommended Videos

Roomba-maker iRobot is one step closer to bringing its robotic lawn mower to market, as the company has filed a trademark application for a “robotic lawnmower” named “Terra.” In a statement, the company remained tight-lipped on the lawn mower’s future, saying only, “iRobot is constantly working to develop new practical robotic solutions that are designed to improve people’s lives, both inside and outside of the home. While the company is exploring the lawn mowing category, it is company policy not to discuss further specifics at this time.”

This news comes nearly a year after iRobot was granted a waiver to proceed as planned by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC typically doesn’t allow unlicensed “fixed outdoor infrastructure” to transmit low-power radio signals.

Back in April of 2015, iRobot filed for the waiver, which it needed because the mower will use wireless beacons that will act as boundaries and will communicate with the robot, ensuring the device doesn’t wander into the street or start cutting your neighbor’s lawn. The beacons operate in the 6,240-6,740 megahertz range, the same range the National Radio Astronomy Observatory uses to view the spectral signature of methanol in space. The NRAO wanted the vacuum company to use a geolocation feature to keep the beacons from interfering with that.

Instead, regulators waived the rules after determining that the iRobot’s proposed limitations on height and signal strength should make the beacons safe. The company also said it would restrict the beacons to residential areas, according to Reuters.

“The FCC’s assessment agrees with our analysis that the technology will not have a negative impact on radio astronomy,” said iRobot’s spokesman in a statement.

The beacon technology is what would set the iRobot RLM apart from other robotic lawn-care devices. Right now, mowers like the RS 630 from Robomow can cut the grass based on schedules, but users are required to place wires around their yard to create boundaries for the robot.

Don’t expect to see an iRobot lawn mower by summer’s end, though. The technology is just one of the technologies the company is evaluating as “part of a long-term product exploration effort in the lawn mowing category,” said the spokesperson.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Jenny McGrath
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
Narwal debuts innovative robot vacuum with new mop-cleaning functionality at CES 2025
Narwal Flow

Narwal is responsible for some of our favorite robot vacuums, including the premium Narwal Freo Z Ultra, which features a modern aesthetic and ultra-quiet operation. The company’s track record of innovation continued at CES 2025 with the reveal of the Narwal Flow -- an upcoming robot vacuum built with a powerful new mopping system.

The Narwal Flow employs a new type of mopping system (dubbed the FlowWash Mopping System) that actively cleans its rolling mopping plate as it's cleaning your floors. This ensures you won’t be tracking dirty mops across the ground and should result in a better overall cleaning experience. The robot is equipped with both a clean and dirty water tank, allowing it to extract dirty water from the mop while simultaneously rewetting it. This allows the mop to remain in excellent condition without needing to head back to the docking station for self-cleaning.

Read more
Lymow shows off robotic lawn mower with mulching blades, tracked treads at CES
The Lymow One cutting through grass.

Lymow is hoping to shake up the robotic lawn mower industry later this year with the Lymow One -- an upcoming mower equipped with mulching blades and unique tracked treads. The team’s goal is to “fully replace traditional mowers,” making your lawn maintenance routine easier than ever before. The Lymow One was on full display at CES 2025, and it boasts an impressive list of stats that make it a smart home gadget to watch ahead of its launch in April.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Lymow One is its mowing deck, which houses professional-grade mulching blades. These are common on ride-on and traditional lawnmowers and should provide a better cut than the metal sheet swing blades found on many other robotic lawn mowers. The two blades are powered by a brushless motor capable of a peak output of 1,200 watts (spinning them at 6,000 RPM and cutting at a width of 16 inches). In other words, it should have no problem cutting through even the most overgrown of backyards.

Read more
Tapo launches two affordable robot vacuums with surprisingly premium specs
The Tapo RV30 Max Plus in its docking station

Tapo, a brand responsible for a wide range of smart gadgets, has just revealed two new robot vacuums -- the Tapo RV30 Max Series and Tapo RV20 Max Series. Both can be purchased as standalone robots or bundled with an auto-empty dock, and they offer some pretty impressive stats despite their entry-level price tags below $300.

The Tapo RV30 Max is the more expensive of the duo, clocking in at $220 ($300 when bundled with its auto-empty docking station). Its suction numbers are quite low at just 5,300 Pa, but it does offer a unique Mesh Grid feature that helps it accurately map and move about your home. It works in conjunction with lidar and IMU Dual Navigation, which should also make it great at avoiding obstacles.

Read more