
Keeping your lawn perfectly trimmed no longer needs to be a time-consuming chore. Today’s robotic lawn mowers can take care of your grass with impressive efficiency, freeing up your time and helping you maintain a consistently healthy, great-looking lawn. Whether you’re new to robotic mowing or looking to optimise your current setup, this guide will share top tips to help you get the most from your robot lawn mower — from smart setup and daily use to essential maintenance and care.
The modern garden is evolving, and at the heart of this transformation lies the robotic lawn mower — a smart, efficient solution for keeping lawns perfectly trimmed with minimal effort. These clever machines have soared in popularity in recent years, offering busy homeowners an appealing blend of convenience and precision.
One of the standout benefits of robotic lawn mowers is their ability to take the hard work out of garden maintenance. Once set up, they can quietly and systematically mow your lawn, saving you countless hours over the mowing season. Models such as the Segway Navimow i Series go one step further, offering wire-free operation. Instead of installing physical perimeter wires, users can set virtual boundaries via an intuitive app — making the initial setup faster, cleaner, and far more flexible should you wish to alter your lawn’s layout in future.
In addition to their time-saving appeal, robotic lawn mowers also promote a healthier lawn. As they cut, these machines finely mulch the grass clippings and return them to the ground. This process naturally fertilises your lawn, enriching the soil with nutrients and eliminating the need for messy grass collection or disposal. Over time, this can improve your lawn’s colour, density, and resilience — all without the use of chemical fertilisers.
Behind the effortless appearance of a robot mower’s progress lies sophisticated navigation technology. Many models rely on basic perimeter wires and random mowing patterns, but advanced options — such as those in the Segway Navimow range — offer a leap forward. The Exact Fusion Locating System (EFLS 2.0) combines satellite positioning (GPS) with AI-assisted sensors, enabling centimetre-level accuracy and systematic, efficient mowing patterns. This ensures the mower covers your entire lawn precisely, with no patch missed and no unnecessary repetition.
To get the very best performance from your robot lawn mower — and to safeguard both your machine and your garden — it’s worth taking the time to prepare properly before the first mow and during regular operation. Here are the key steps to follow.
Before starting any mowing session, it is important to inspect and clear your lawn of any potential obstacles. This includes stones, sticks, wires, pet toys, bones, and large piles of leaves — all of which can damage the blades or interfere with your mower’s sensors. A clear mowing area ensures a smooth and safe cutting experience, prolonging the life of your robot mower.
When using your robot mower for the first time, it is recommended to cut your grass to a manageable height with a conventional lawn mower. For example, the Segway Navimow i Series works best when the grass is no more than 6 cm (approximately 3.6 inches) tall. This initial cut prevents overloading the robot mower’s cutting system and promotes even, efficient mowing during subsequent runs.
Your mower’s charging station is its home base — proper placement is crucial for reliable performance and hassle-free operation.
For GPS-based mowers, such as the Segway Navimow range, it is important to position the charging station and antenna in a location with strong satellite signal reception. Avoid areas near dense hedges, tall trees, walls, or structures that could obstruct GPS signals.
Make sure to firmly secure the charging station to a level surface. Additionally, any connecting cables should be fixed to the ground and kept out of the mower’s cutting zone to prevent accidental damage.
If you experience signal obstruction in your chosen location, you may wish to install an antenna extension pole. For example, the Navimow antenna can be elevated up to 2 metres, helping to maintain a clear line of sight to the sky for optimal GPS performance.
With the hardware installed, the next step is to map your lawn using your robot mower’s app.
Begin by defining virtual boundaries that mark the mowing area.
Add any off-limit zones to protect delicate garden features, such as flowerbeds, vegetable patches, and ponds.
Create channels or passages between different lawn areas if required.
Some mowers — including models from the Navimow range — enhance map accuracy with camera-assisted positioning, which is particularly helpful in gardens with complex layouts or variable light conditions.
Robot mowers are becoming increasingly sophisticated — and like all smart devices, they benefit from ongoing software improvements. Be sure to regularly check for and install any available firmware updates, often delivered Over-The-Air (OTA) via the mower’s app. These updates can unlock new features, improve navigation accuracy, and enhance overall performance.
Once your robot lawn mower is properly set up, day-to-day use is remarkably simple. However, following a few smart practices will help you get the most from your mower, keep your lawn looking its best, and ensure safe operation for everyone around.
Robotic mowers are designed to work quietly and autonomously, but careful scheduling ensures they complement your daily life and garden use.
To minimise risk, always schedule mowing times when people — especially children and pets — are unlikely to be on the lawn. Even the most advanced models should not be treated as toys or allowed to run unsupervised around play areas.
For the best mowing results, aim to operate your mower in dry weather. Mowing wet grass can result in clumping and uneven cuts, while slippery surfaces may impair traction, particularly on slopes. Even though IP66-rated models like the Segway Navimow range are built to withstand rain and splashes, it’s best to avoid mowing during:
Heavy rain
Thunderstorms
Snow or frost
Your robot mower’s companion app is a powerful tool that offers much more than basic remote control.
Monitor real-time mower status and progress directly from your smartphone.
Adjust mowing schedules and set different timings for different zones.
Customise operational settings such as cutting height or edge mowing preferences.
Receive notifications for important updates, such as completed mowing cycles, maintenance reminders, or alerts about unusual behaviour (for example, if the mower becomes stuck or leaves its defined area).
Taking advantage of the app’s full functionality can greatly enhance convenience and give you more control over your mower’s performance.
Even though robot mowers incorporate multiple built-in safety sensors — including lift, tilt, and bumper sensors — basic safety precautions should always be observed.
While the mower is operating, it is important to maintain a safe distance and supervise young children or pets to prevent accidental contact with the blades or moving parts.
Never attempt to ride on or lift the mower while it is running. If the need arises to move or inspect the device, always pause the mower and wait until the blades have come to a complete stop.
Respect the manufacturer’s recommended slope limits for safe mowing. For instance, the Navimow X3 Series can handle slopes of up to 50%, while the i Series manages slopes up to around 30%. Operating outside these limits increases the risk of instability or mower damage.
Familiarise yourself with the mower’s STOP button, which allows you to immediately halt operation if you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations, or mechanical faults. This simple action can prevent damage to both the mower and your lawn.
Most modern robot mowers are equipped with anti-theft features, which can offer valuable peace of mind.
Many models, such as those with the optional Navimow Access+ accessory, support real-time location tracking via GPS.
You can set up alerts to notify you instantly if the mower is moved outside a predefined area or if tampering is detected.
Always enable PIN code protection to prevent unauthorised use or control of your mower.
Today’s robotic mowers are designed for true autonomy. When the battery runs low, your mower will automatically return to its charging station, top up its charge, and resume mowing once it has sufficient power. This ensures continuous lawn care with minimal manual intervention — your mower simply keeps your grass looking great in the background.
Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your robot lawn mower running smoothly and extending its lifespan. Fortunately, most routine care tasks are simple and require just a few minutes of attention. Here are the essential maintenance tips to follow.
Over time, grass clippings, dirt, and debris can build up on your mower — particularly around the blades and undercarriage. This is especially common after mowing wet grass, which tends to stick more readily.
To maintain optimal performance:
Periodically clean your mower, focusing on the cutting area and chassis.
Always power off the mower and, where applicable, remove the battery before cleaning.
Use a soft brush or damp cloth — avoid high-pressure water sprays, even with IP66-rated models, to prevent damage to electronic components.
Keeping your mower clean not only ensures more efficient cutting but also reduces wear on moving parts.
Robot mower blades are consumable items and require regular replacement to maintain safe, high-quality cutting.
For example, with Segway Navimow models, it is recommended to replace all three blades and their screws every 1 to 2 months if used regularly. Dull or damaged blades can strain the motor and leave the grass looking ragged rather than cleanly cut.
Always wear protective gloves when handling or replacing blades, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe removal and installation.
Proper care of your mower’s lithium-ion battery will help maintain its capacity and extend its useful life.
Before placing your mower into long-term storage (such as over the winter months):
Charge the battery to a suitable level — for Navimow models, this is typically 85% or higher to help prevent deep discharge.
Store the mower in a cool, dry place, ideally indoors.
Periodically recharge the battery (e.g., every 120 days) during extended storage to avoid capacity loss.
Avoid using or storing your mower in extreme temperatures, as both very hot and very cold conditions can damage the battery and affect overall performance. Always refer to your mower’s manual for the recommended operating and storage temperature ranges.
Regularly inspect the mower’s power supply cord, plug, and charging station enclosure:
Look for signs of damage, fraying, or wear.
If you notice any deterioration or suspect a fault, discontinue use immediately and contact the manufacturer or authorised service provider for assistance.
Using a damaged power supply could present a safety hazard or result in charging issues.
Even with regular maintenance, occasional issues can arise. Most robot mowers — including Segway Navimow models — provide comprehensive support resources.
Consult the FAQ and troubleshooting sections of your mower’s user manual or app.
Many apps offer guided troubleshooting for common problems, saving you time and helping resolve minor issues yourself.
If needed, contact customer support for further assistance or professional servicing.
Staying proactive with maintenance and care will not only keep your mower performing at its best but also help you enjoy years of reliable, low-effort lawn care.
By following these simple tips for setup, daily use, and maintenance, you can keep your robot lawn mower running smoothly and ensure your lawn stays in excellent condition all season long. With the right care, your mower will reward you with years of reliable, effortless performance — leaving you more time to simply enjoy your garden.