RTK vs LiDAR vs vision: how wire-free robot mowers navigate

RTK: satellite positioning, corrected

RTK (real-time kinematic) improves GPS-style satellite positioning to centimetre level using a correction signal, either from a base antenna in your garden or from a network service over mobile data ("network RTK"). It works best with open sky. Dense trees, tall walls and the side of a house can weaken it.

RTK with cameras, no LiDAR: Segway Navimow i105, Segway Navimow i210 AWD, Segway Navimow X430, Segway Navimow X450, Segway Navimow X390, WORX Landroid Vision Cloud 4WD (1 acre).

RTK with radar instead of cameras: Husqvarna Automower 410 iQ, Husqvarna Automower 420 iQ, Husqvarna Automower 440 iQ, Husqvarna Automower 435 iQ AWD. Radar spots obstacles but doesn't help the mower find its position, so these depend most on satellite signal.

LiDAR: laser mapping

LiDAR spins a laser to measure distances to trees, walls and fences, and builds a map from them. It doesn't need satellites, so it suits tree-lined yards. It needs features to see, so a huge, empty field gives it less to work with.

LiDAR without RTK: Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 1500, Mammotion LUBA mini 2 AWD 1500, Segway Navimow i215 LiDAR, Dreame A3 AWD 1000, Dreame A3 AWD 2000, Dreame A3 AWD Pro, ECOVACS GOAT A3000 LiDAR PRO.

Both together

Some mowers combine LiDAR, RTK and cameras so each covers the others' weak spots: Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 3000H.

Vision only

Camera-only mowers recognise the lawn edge and obstacles visually. Setup is simple, but they depend on light and clear grass edges: eufy E15.

Which to choose

• Open lawn, few trees: RTK models are usually the best value per acre.
• Lots of trees or tall buildings: choose LiDAR, alone or combined with RTK.
• Small, simple, flat lawn: vision-only or a basic RTK model is enough.

The fit calculator tags satellite-based models when you choose "lots of cover".