Robot mower navigation explained: RTK, LiDAR, vision, GPS, and wire

RTK uses satellite navigation plus correction data to improve position accuracy. Robot mowers may receive corrections from a local reference station or a network service. Performance depends on antenna design, satellite visibility, corrections, interference, buildings, canopy, and how the mower handles temporary loss of a precise fix.

A claim of centimeter-level positioning describes the technology under suitable conditions; it does not guarantee that every edge of every yard will hold that accuracy continuously.

LiDAR measures distance to surrounding surfaces and can build a geometric map. Camera vision can classify grass, obstacles, boundaries, people, or animals depending on the system. These tools can complement RTK or serve as the primary mapping method.

Ask whether the sensor is used for localization, obstacle avoidance, boundary recognition, or all three. Also check low-light behavior, minimum obstacle size, cleaning requirements, and how seasonal vegetation changes affect the map.

Boundary wire defines the perimeter with an installed loop. GPS-assisted models may still use that wire while using satellite data for route planning, zone behavior, theft tracking, or more systematic coverage. A product described as GPS-enabled is not automatically wire-free.

Look for explicit virtual-boundary or no-perimeter-wire language in the official documentation rather than inferring setup style from the presence of GPS, an app, or a map.

Wheel encoders, inertial sensors, bump sensors, ultrasonic or time-of-flight sensors, cameras, LiDAR, and satellite positioning can all contribute to one navigation stack. Compare how the complete system behaves around your hardest edge, not which acronym has the strongest marketing.