로보락 RockMow X1 LiDAR

Traditional robotic lawnmowers require burying boundary wires around the yard for operation. Their simple sensors struggle to handle unexpected obstacles (toys, animal waste, etc.), and they have difficulty working on slopes or uneven terrain. As a result, many consumers still rely on manual mowing, and the adoption rate of robotic lawnmowers is not as high as that of indoor robot vacuum cleaners.

Especially in North America and other regions with large yards, the labor and time required for mowing are significant, leading to high demand for automation. However, the performance and convenience limitations of existing products hinder market growth. For example, some high-end models use wireless RTK GPS, but they involve the hassle of installing a separate antenna and issues with GPS blind spots. In other words, there is a demand for smart and convenient lawn mowing robots.

RockMow X1 LiDAR utilizes Sentisphere™ LiDAR AI to achieve precise mapping and localization comparable to indoor robot vacuum cleaners. It enables easy setup by scanning and mapping the lawn area with LiDAR and setting virtual boundaries, eliminating the need for boundary wires.

Additionally, its front, rear, left, and right 4WD drive and active steering allow it to navigate maze-like yards nimbly. It also rotates closely to the ground to avoid disturbing the grass when turning. The active suspension absorbs shocks and adjusts the height of each wheel, maintaining a consistent blade height for a clean cut even on hills and bumps. The sensor AI avoids objects it recognizes, and stops when there is a risk of collision, protecting children's toys and pets.

Up to5,000㎡ (approximately 1,500 pyeong)It covers large lawns with a high-capacity battery and efficient path optimization. Through the app, users can customize mowing patterns or even program it to createlawn art (logos, patterns), adding an element of fun. This powerful combination of driving, perception, and software surpasses existing competing products.

Primarilyhomeowners (B2C)are the target. Private households in the US and Europe with gardens are the core market, andcorporate campuses and park management (B2B)with large lawns are also considered.

However, in terms of price and usage, it is classified as a smart home appliance for general consumers. Sales will be conducted through Roborock's existing distribution network (online, appliance stores), and there is a possibility that lawn care companies will purchase it for service and rental. Initially, it will be marketed as a premium appliance, appealing to consumers who do not spare expenses on garden management, and then gradually become more common with the spread of technology.

As Roborock's first entry into the field of garden automation, there is potential for expansion into other garden management robots such as leaf cleaning and snow removal robots. It can also be developed into an integrated indoor/outdoor smart home management platform, enabling linked management of indoor cleaning robots and outdoor lawn robots.

However, the current product is limited to houses with lawns, so the market is limited in areas with a high proportion of apartment residents. It will focus on lawn-culture regions such as North America, Europe, and Australia, where there is a high demand due to a shortage of professional gardeners. Technically, LiDAR and VSLAM have proven their performance in outdoor environments and can be used in agricultural robots in the future.

Regulations mainly require compliance with lawn robot safety standards (blade guards, etc.), and certifications such as European CE are likely already being prepared. Overall, Roborock is being evaluated for pioneering the outdoor living robot market following indoor cleaning, and other home appliance companies may enter the market as latecomers.

It received an Innovation Award in the Home Appliances category at CES and was introduced as an innovative example of home robot appliances. Regarding the completeness of the technology, media outlets such as The Verge praised it as "the first commercially available robotic lawnmower that cuts accurately without boundary wires" and expressed anticipation for its release.

Market expectations are also quite high due to Roborock's successful experience with robot vacuum cleaners, with forecasts that it will "dominate the outdoors following the indoors." In particular, consumer utility is high in that it replaces tens of hours of lawn mowing labor per year. However,the price range (expected to be over $2000)and the choice of models depending on the size of the garden are cited as barriers to entry for consumers.

Overall, it is receiving evaluations close to expectations rather than overestimation, and it is attracting attention as the next essential item for smart homes in lawn-culture regions.