Boundary wires might be rapidly becoming a thing of the past, but modern robot lawn mower navigation tech isn’t without its problems. Most lawnbots find their way around using satellites, with an RTK receiver to make the location information more precise. Sometimes, this is combined with backup technology like VSLAM and/or cameras.
Mammotion’s newest launch takes things to another level, with a triple-pronged approach that includes RTK, a 3D camera and solid-state LiDAR. The inclusion of LiDAR is the most interesting (so interesting that Mammotion has called it out in the product name: the LUBA mini AWD LiDAR) – this is the navigation tech powering today’s best robot vacuums, but I’ve never seen it used in a robot mower before.
The idea is that the LUBA mini AWD LiDAR will swap between these different navigation technologies to offer “±1 cm precision in any situation”. Each technology has its strengths and weaknesses, which is why adding various options makes sense.
LiDAR works by emitting beams of light and measuring how long they take to bounce back, then using this information to build a map of an area and everything in it. It’s very precise and great for enclosed spaces with things in them (hence its popularity with robot vacuums), but less so in open areas that lack objects to bounce off.
RTK is your standard lawnbot technology. It’s less precise than LiDAR and relies on a direct line of sight to a number of satellites in the sky, which means it can struggle to operate under trees or in narrow passageways. However, it’s perfect for wide, open areas.
The 3D camera is useful for object identification and avoidance, but it needs light to work properly. In contrast, RTK and LiDAR both work in the dark and are effective in shaded areas.
With Mammotion’s “Tri-Fusion” technology, the LUBA Mini AWD LiDAR will automatically pick the best approach for any given space. So when there’s a poor satellite signal, LiDAR might kick in, then in open areas lacking in obstacles, RTK would take over as the primary positioning source.
This brand already makes some of the most advanced robot mowers around (head to TechRadar’s Mammotion Luba 2 AWD review for a taster), so I’m excited to see how this new addition holds up, having seen it in action at IFA 2025.
