Spin-off: Have you seen those Roomba style lawnmowers?

[MommyAllison]

I was at a friend's house last week and her neighbor has a lawnmower that works like the Roomba vacuums! This green rectangle went around their yard, cutting the grass, and would stop, back up, and turn when it got to the curb. It was really quiet too - we couldn't hear it even when we walked by. Am I way out of the loop to not know these existed? Where do you buy them and how much are they?? (We rent at the moment, so lawn care is taken care of by the landlord, but I am curious!)

[hwin708]

You mean a Robomower? I think they've been around nearly as long as the Roomba. But they're significantly more expensive, in the thousands, so not as popular an item. I also think you have to bury some kind of guide wire around your lawn so it knows where to go. Not impossible, but a bit more effort than just plug and go. I don't know if that is still the case, though.
Here's the website, it can tell you where to buy it:
http://www.friendlyrobotics.com/

Personally, I don't own one or know anyone who does. The lawns just aren't that big around here as I live in a city. But if you google the reviews, they may be somewhat mixed. Back when I was researching the Roomba, I read quite a few reviews on this as well. But maybe it's improved with age. Heavens knows the Roomba has.