Robotic outdoor power equipment will be the hallmark of the 21st century, with technology that lets busy sellers and homeowners take a hands-off approach to lawn care. Thanks to robotic lawn mowers, the smart home is now extending to the smart lawn. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) recently announced the first-ever industry standard for robotic lawn mowers, opening the door for manufacturers to offer even more products, innovations, and choices to the consumer.

OPEI offers this robotic lawn mower 4-1-1 for busy sellers and homeowners.

Maintenance is easy. Robotic lawn mowers are low-maintenance machines since there are no spark plugs to replace or gas or oil to refill. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the blades once a year to ensure optimal performance.

How it works. There are typically three components to a robotic lawn mower – the mower itself, a charging/docking station, and a boundary wire that lets the mower know where the edges of your lawn are. Setting the boundary wire is, arguably, the most time-intensive installation step, though some manufacturers are offering wire-free boundary systems.

More free time. Once a robotic mower is set up, your work is done. It mows at a scheduled time at the determined height and returns to the docking station when its work is done or the battery is low (think Roomba for the lawn). Just like a smart appliance inside the home, robotic mowers can be controlled on a smartphone via a mobile app. For active sellers this means their lawn will be ready for a showing 24/7, even if they are not at home to tackle the task.

Safety features. The mowers are designed to stop cutting and reverse direction if they encounter an object. Furthermore, the blade automatically stops running if the machine accidentally tips over or it gets picked up. Some models even have built-in anti-theft protection that keeps your robot mower safe. Even with all of the built-in safety features, as with all outdoor power equipment, it’s important to keep kids and pets inside when operating the machinery.

Lawns are healthy & green. Robot mowers work constantly, so lawns are “shaved” regularly – a gentle way to cut grass that makes for a healthy, beautiful lawn that is sure to boost curb appeal. The small clippings are returned to the soil, creating natural nutrition for a healthy and verdant lawn.

The choice is yours. Consumers have more choices in their outdoor power equipment today more than ever before – from the smart technologies we have already mentioned to various power sources. That means homeowners can choose the best equipment to fit their abilities and the job at hand, powered by a wide array of sources. There are major innovations around battery and electric equipment, propane, solar, hybrids, and more efficient gasoline-powered equipment.

To learn more about why it is important to take care of your lawn and landscape for property values and beyond, go to TurfMutt.com.