Husqvarna's Robot Lawn Mower

Let it loose in the backyard and Husqvarna's Auto-Mower promises to constantly and quietly keep the lawn trimmed - even recharging itself - while you find something a little more interesting to do with your weekend leisure time. This green-thumbed robot is capable of maintaining a lawn area of between 1200 and 1500 square metres completely autonomously once the low-current perimeter wire is installed. The boundary wire is stapled or buried in the ground to stop the Auto-Mower from leaving the lawn and wandering into the neighbour's vegie patch. Available in either a battery or solar powered version, the Auto-Mower parks itself on the charging unit when its power is low by following a 'search wire', or in the case of the solar model, stop moving to allow time for the sun to recharge its batteries.Virtually silent and able to work in any weather conditions, the Auto-Mower is designed to continuously cut in a random pattern. This keeps the grass at a consistent height and clippings are fine enough to be left on the lawn as mulch, avoiding the need to use a catcher. Crash sensors enable the mower to automatically change direction when it encounters solid objects like trees. Available from Husqvarna dealers, this escape route from what must be the most hated of Sunday afternoon chores costs AUS$3458 including the charging station but not installation.