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I think all the "green" and "electric" discussions are getting into me now. But I get this feeling that the future of lawn mowers is in robotics. Equipment is lighter, therefore it requires less power to run. With no human load, it will also have more chances of going completely on battery power.

So many things seem to be going robotic these days - even cars can now go and stop and park without input from their drivers - what's left for people to do? Do you think all this technology is helping humanity or just making us dumber by not requiring us to use our brains?

With technology we are definitely having to use our brains MORE... It is just allowing us to do more..
The slower, simpler life of the 'good ol days', seem easier but there was a lot more work to get less done... :smile:KennyV

I know that lawn mowers don't go fast enough to generate much of a breeze, but do you think it would be possible to capture and utilize the wind generated by driving a car? Could that wind energy be harnessed in some way?

I think of all the battery operated devices used in cars these days - DVD players, CD players, GPS - couldn't some of those be charged (or recharged) by the power of the wind generated by highway speeds?

I'm waiting for the day when I can have a battery powered lawn mower that is self-charging from solar power. I don't mind the physical labor involved, but cleaner running machines would be better.

I totally believe that, much as we have those little things that clean kitchen floors and wooden surfaces. The sensors will tell it where to go. I'm ready for it to happen even.

I'm hoping we'll see a decrease in price in small diesel engines, they would be much more fuel effcient and long lasting in mowers! Not to mention the torque numbers would be awesome.

Hi Jet! With what I know about diesel fuel and diesel engines, it would be tough miniaturizing them compared to gasoline. But then who knows someone would find the trick to do so.

I'm with Lucy in wishing for a battery-powered lawn mower that recharges the battery via solar energy.

don't know about the future - but alternative fuels, gases, hybrids, robotic and remote controlled, electric - all here now

Hi demhustler! Indeed the technologies are available already. It's all a matter of "incubating" them to be commercially viable. Most of these technologies so far cost people a lot.

P.S. Vatican City is a dream destination for me. All I know about it is that the Pope lives there, that it's a state on its own, and that the head of that state is the Pope. Do non-clerics live there? Just wondering

I believe that all of the systems will improve. We may not fully be able to comprehend or visualize it ourselves yet. Remember, we are bound by what we know today.

I won't try to predict the future but only comment on the direction that I'd like to see mowers go.

All the push mowers that I see in stores these days are heavy, awkward things. How about a return to a light, agile mowers? Powered by a two-stroke, of course, for the superior power-to-weight ratio.:smile:

I think robotics are making us even think faster, in spite of making things easier. We should also keep in mind that the ultimate aim would be a cleaner environment.

adan said:

Hi demhustler! Indeed the technologies are available already. It's all a matter of "incubating" them to be commercially viable. Most of these technologies so far cost people a lot.

P.S. Vatican City is a dream destination for me. All I know about it is that the Pope lives there, that it's a state on its own, and that the head of that state is the Pope. Do non-clerics live there? Just wondering

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true, question only - when; when processors, soft and navigation systems cost will become less then labour costs (biggest expense now) and/or reflect in productivity increase;

p.s. right, gotta move from that Vatican City to not so remote disclosed location (may be here or not far from here) : ))))))

Robotic mowers will be great for senior citizens who are unable to cut grass or people who are too busy to cut grass or would rather do other things in life. While I have nothing against new technologies, I still really enjoy getting getting on the mower to cut grass and I will Only Buy a Robotic mower when that is all that is left to buy on the market! Again, just my preference and opnion, the robotic mowers are fun to watch though and if you have a small lawn in an urban area they work great. Of course I wish I could program one to just trim the hard to reach areas with the rider and just cut the wide open areas with the mower. Maybe I am old fashion, but I am not ready to give up my tractor seat for a lawn chair and a cool drink just yet... Someday I won't have a choice but for now I will keep mowing with the rider.

Take Care Jason B

adan said:

P.S. Vatican City is a dream destination for me. All I know about it is that the Pope lives there, that it's a state on its own, and that the head of that state is the Pope. Do non-clerics live there? Just wondering

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You should ask them. :smile:

The Holy See

Seriously: We do landscaping here in Germany and own a repairshop with sale for used gardenequipmet.
For me growing and mowing a lawn is one of the most senseless work. It costs money, needs machines but it will not pay for the work. If I grow Veggies instead of a lawn, it will be work, too...but it feeds family and me.

well, that's why it's better for robot to mow the lawn... : )))))))))
basically laptop with cordless drill motor, furniture wheelies and tiny blades... don't has to be powerful - slow but steady - he's got whole day , even 7...
laptop or smart-phone hard and software - well, may be if it so smart, it smart enough to not cut his own cord?.... : )) - i would plug cord in it an make it carry desktop hardware with bigger wheelchair motors - cheaper .... : )))))))))

Mac 624 said:

We do landscaping here in Germany and own a repairshop with sale for used gardenequipmet.For me growing and mowing a lawn is one of the most senseless work. It costs money, needs machines but it will not pay for the work. If I grow Veggies instead of a lawn, it will be work, too...but it feeds family and me.

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Hi Mac! Yeah, I'll send the Pope an email if they accept immigrants

Anyhow, what you just said here is very insightful. We're discussing lawn mowers in the context of earth-friendliness. What if the overall future is for people to plant vegetables instead of mowing large fields of grass?

I've been thinking much about this lately and I am now leaning towards a smaller playground that I would like to mow for the kids to play well. Instead of a large mower, I would buy a drip irrigation system instead and plant vegetables, just like what you want to do.