Object detection and avoidance with AI vision technology

These Automower® NERA models feature advanced AI that not only detects objects but also classifies them based on risk level. This allows the lawn mower to respond differently depending on the type of obstacle it encounters.

How object classification works

Objects are classified into two categories that determine how the lawn mower responds:

• High-risk objects: Humans, animals and items like water hoses are treated as priority hazards. The lawn mower maintains a larger safety distance when approaching and avoiding these objects to prevent any contact.
• Low-risk objects: Items such as toys, garden furniture or flowerpots are considered lower risk. The lawn mower approaches these objects more closely before changing direction, minimising uncut grass and ensuring thorough coverage of your lawn.

Nighttime operation

Equipped with infrared sensors, these models can detect and avoid objects at night.

Camera visibility setting

A camera visibility setting determines how the lawn mower behaves when the camera cannot see clearly due to heavy rain or dirt on the lens:

• Keep mowing: when visibility is limited, this setting will keep the lawn mower operating.
• Pause: when visibility is limited, the lawn mower pauses until visibility is good again.

You can enable or disable object avoidance in the app under More > Settings > Operation > Object avoidance, where you’ll also find the settings to customise this feature.

These models detect objects and maintain a consistent safety distance for all obstacle types during daytime operation.

How object detection works

When an object is detected in the lawn mower’s path, it maintains a consistent safety distance and changes direction to avoid it, regardless of the object type.

Nighttime operation

At night, the lawn mower operates without vision support, and may collide with objects on the lawn that it would normally detect and avoid during daylight hours. Smart Routines like “Consideration for wildlife” can help by parking the lawn mower at dawn to protect animal wildlife during their most active hours.

You can enable or disable object avoidance in the app under More > Settings > Operation > Object avoidance.

Permanent objects

For permanent objects, such as garden furniture or children’s trampolines, create stay-out zones to ensure the lawn mower operates optimally. This will help the lawn mower plan its route and operate more efficiently.

Floating objects

Objects that are not fully on the ground, such as garden benches with legs and raised sections, may be difficult for the lawn mower to assess accurately. The lawn mower will detect the legs and avoid them, but it may attempt to pass under the raised section, detecting that it is farther away.

Recommendation: If there is a risk of the lawn mower getting stuck under an object, create a stay-out zone around it.

Objects covered by high grass

The robotic lawn mower always aims to cut all grass. If objects, such as trampoline legs, are hidden in the high grass, the lawn mower may get stuck on them while attempting to cut.

Recommendation:

There are some alternatives for dealing with objects hidden in high grass:

• Trim the edges to ensure the lawn mower doesn’t bump into objects hidden in high grass.
• Bury trampoline legs or similar objects, or install a protective barrier around them, so the lawn mower can easily detect them when the grass is high.
• Create a stay-out-zone to isolate these areas.

Weak satellite signal at the virtual boundary

If the virtual boundary is installed in an area with poor satellite coverage and grass directly outside the virtual boundary, such as between your lawn and your neighbour’s lawn, Husqvarna recommends installing a protective barrier. The barrier should have a minimum height of 15 cm/6 in. This will prevent the lawn mower from leaving the virtual boundary when it loses satellite signal and continues to detect grass.