Getting a better connection: a short history of the robotic lawnmower

Hundreds of thousands of robotic lawnmowers are sold every year. They’re a common sight these days, as they trundle across the lawns in front of many houses, mowing the grass just so at their own leisurely pace, without their owners having to leave the couch.

And therein lies their main appeal. “The robot lawnmower responds to a clear need among customers,” says Johan Rogö, Product Manager Robotic Mower at Husqvarna. “It lifts a yoke from their shoulders and takes care of a recurring and boring chore. It saves time and effort while the result is good.”

In 2010, Husqvarna developed its first connected robotic lawnmowers, which could be given commands via SMS. Five years later, Automower Connect was launched, an app that enables you to control the mower in detail. “Right from the start, usage rose at a breakneck speed,” says Linda Lindqvist, Product Manager Automower. “It became obvious that customers saw great value in the functionality.”

In 2015, the possibility of remote app control was a premium accessory that customers could add when buying. Nowadays, all Husqvarna robotic lawnmowers are equipped with connected technology from the beginning. “We are an absolute leader in this segment, both when you look at the number of units sold or customer satisfaction and app usage,” says Rogö.

Customer satisfaction has become a bonus in Husqvarna’s own development, too. “The app has brought customers closer to us as a company,” says Lindqvist. “We learn how customers use the products and help us develop services that are in demand. The management has understood that relationship building is very important.

“We increase the value of the customer offering at the same time as we as a company make money from it. We look at the challenges and problems [the customer] faces and try to solve these. Having a connected product has been profitable from the very beginning and has helped to maintain a premium feel.”

Shipping lawnmowers to the world

The technology that keeps robotic lawnmowers connected is provided by Telenor IoT, one of Europe’s largest IoT operators. The collaboration between Husqvarna and Telenor IoT has been ongoing since the app was launched seven years ago.

“An important part of it all is that Telenor IoT delivers a global solution for connectivity, which means that we can ship mowers to the whole world,” says Rogö. “You connect the mower in the same way no matter where you are. Telenor also has a knowledge of the mobile networks and connectivity that we need.

“For Husqvarna, the development of technology has also meant that the company has received a boost in its sustainability work. Electrification is a cornerstone of the shift from gasoline to battery power. Our robotic lawnmowers’ energy consumption is as low as a light bulb.”

And, says Lindqvist, the importance of connectivity to Husqvarna’s products has led to the idea of it being far more than just a manufacturing company – and more connected to its customers. “Today we are more of a technology company which focuses on solving the customer’s problems and meeting their needs with the help of technology,” she explains. “The customer is at the centre all the time.”

By Maria Willander, Head of Marketing, Telenor IoT