Meet the robot that mows your lawn

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The Husqvarna 410 iQ is for anyone who hates mowing

Summer may be behind us, but the memory of long, hot days spent keeping up with the lawn still lingers. As we move into cooler months, now is the perfect time to plan ahead and make next year’s yardwork easier, safer, and far less of a hassle. For those of us in our fifties and beyond, the risks of heat stress are real, and so is the desire to spend more time enjoying life rather than pushing a mower. That is where the new generation of robotic lawnmowers comes in. At the forefront is the Husqvarna 410 iQ, a smart and efficient way to ensure that when the grass starts growing again, your yard stays beautiful without demanding your sweat and energy.

There are, of course, lawn services who will happily arrive and keep the grass tidy. But they are expensive, and in peak growing season things can get scruffy between visits. A robotic lawnmower solves that problem. Think of it as a Roomba for your lawn, a helpful companion that trundles around, rain or shine, keeping the grass looking its best. As an added bonus, since it continuously trims off tiny bits of grass, there is no raking required. Nature takes care of the residue.

The Husqvarna 410 iQ has been grooming our lawn for several months. We dubbed it Thingthulu (yes, people name their automowers). Although it is the entry model in Husqvarna’s top end residential line, it can handle lawns of up to half an acre (2,000 square meters). Its larger siblings can cover up to two acres, and for even bigger spaces, multiple units can be programmed to divide and conquer. The 410 iQ also manages slopes of up to 45 degrees, so you do not need a perfectly flat lawn to benefit.

If variety appeals to you, the mower can be set to cut in patterns rather than just neat rows. Our front yard currently displays a diamond pattern, while the back yard has the smooth look of a natural expanse thanks to a random mow that leaves behind only a lush, well kept finish.

All of this is controlled through Husqvarna Automower Connect, a smartphone app that provides a live map of the lawn and shows where the mower has been. You can set the mowing height anywhere between one and four inches, schedule mowing sessions, and even let the mower decide when it is needed. If the grass does not require cutting, it simply parks itself to save energy.

Safety First

Safety is a priority with anything equipped with blades. The 410 iQ’s three small blades are designed to swivel out of the way if they encounter something harder than grass, so you will not be hit with flying debris. Radar sensors also keep it from bumping into obstacles.

The Setup

Older Husqvarna models required a boundary wire around the lawn, but the 410 iQ also offers Husqvarna’s Exact Positioning Operating System (EPOS), which uses satellites for precision. This requires a reference station mounted at least six and a half feet off the ground with a clear view of the sky. Our installer placed it on top of the chimney. If EPOS is not an option, the traditional boundary wire still works as a virtual fence. Either way, if the mower crosses the boundary, it triggers a loud alarm and can be tracked through the app.

One caveat: the app itself can be tricky to navigate. It controls most functions, but finding certain features, such as mowing pattern settings, can take persistence.

Bottom Line

Automowers are not inexpensive, but the investment can pay off. Thingthulu’s predecessor lasted more than seven years. The 410 iQ has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $2,999.99, while the older line starts at $699.99 for the basic 115H model. For the money, you gain freedom from lawn chores, protection from heat stress, and a consistently well kept yard. For many, that makes it more than a gadget. It makes it an indulgence worth considering before next summer arrives.